tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3560937537927324912018-11-19T14:45:11.440-05:00Learning Specialist and Teacher Materials - Good Sensory LearningDr. Erica Warren offers a friendly and informative place where teachers, parents and therapists can find expert advice, multisensory strategies and mindful teaching materials. Find all her resources, at www.goodsensorylearning.comErica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.comBlogger358125blogspot/LAshThttps://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-13249691605424302762018-11-14T15:46:00.000-05:002018-11-14T15:46:02.054-05:00What Do Working Memory Problems Look Like in Kids?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div>With working memory reported to be the number one indicator of academic success, it's surprising that most teachers and parents know little about it.&nbsp;Working memory is like a mental dry erase board where we post information until we need to use it in short-term&nbsp;memory.&nbsp; This information is accessible through one's inner visualizations as well as one's inner voice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="936" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/60Iqe7tigY7mxovb-jO4SBc_5dLZr-8R0Y3DVwt4V42KKT-Fi8wL0CkkSKk9a_3P9r35zgOxd_PHR8zyRjALzMAntLGUP428KF7jkZ8xR58FvY_O8si20E720BTD6xoROESSyrYK" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="624" /></span></div><b>There are a Number of Misconceptions about Working Memory:</b><b></b><br /><div><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tnms_qAOiMl3JcRbmNR227YysjrVHYccxl5HKaReE1w11e-MrLc67sn2u9pSMz1Zhzb9TqFf4H8LImXJE-6E9jxWSp1OLdvup-dDa8A3R2KPpU3ygPWrZWsWG2LMCmeofI1OQ7Em" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="549" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tnms_qAOiMl3JcRbmNR227YysjrVHYccxl5HKaReE1w11e-MrLc67sn2u9pSMz1Zhzb9TqFf4H8LImXJE-6E9jxWSp1OLdvup-dDa8A3R2KPpU3ygPWrZWsWG2LMCmeofI1OQ7Em" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="365" /></a><br /><b> 1) Myth</b>: Kids with a weak working memory have ADHD or other learning disabilities.</div><div><b><b>1) Truth:&nbsp;</b></b>Some kids just have a weak working memory that doesn't warrant a diagnosis of ADHD or a learning disability.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b style="font-weight: bold;">2) Myth:&nbsp;</b>Kids with a weak working memory can't remember what they learn.<br /><b>2) Truth:&nbsp;</b><a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/05/3-reliable-ways-to-improve-attention.html">Memory strategies &amp; exercises can bypass and remediate a weak working memory.</a><br /><b><b><b><b><b><b><b><b><br /></b></b></b></b></b></b></b></b> <b><b><b><b><b><b><b><b>3) Myth:&nbsp;</b></b></b></b></b></b></b></b>Kids with a weak working memory always have problems with executive functioning skills.</div><div><div><b><b><b><b><b><b>3) Truth:&nbsp;</b></b></b></b></b></b>Working memory is only one small part of <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2014/02/executive-functioning-problems-and.html">executive functioning</a>. To learn more about executive functioning <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/09/how-to-teach-executive-functioning-to.html">CLICK HERE</a>.<br /><b><b><b><b><b><b><b><b><br /></b></b></b></b></b></b></b></b> <b><b><b><b><b><b><b><b>4) Myth:&nbsp;</b></b></b></b></b></b></b></b>Kids with a weak working memory have a hard time developing this skill.</div><div><div><b><b><b><b><b>4) Truth:&nbsp;</b></b></b></b></b><a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2017/01/mindfulness-training-improves-working.html">Learning to manage one's visualizations and inner voice can strengthen working memory</a>.</div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><b>You Might Have Working Memory Problems if You:</b><br /><div><ol><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/gk6PpErV-NTOxJRSo5jorLHmMmMnChNgRtdYXn-AxNYj2F1apZWsMLXQI0mtu_2pHiiFTVmhuJAHRVuF6VbI2bhPm7rkZ-ViWc4itMhGg9XanI1RbeKd3-c5s2Poe12WnY7TC0Ic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/gk6PpErV-NTOxJRSo5jorLHmMmMnChNgRtdYXn-AxNYj2F1apZWsMLXQI0mtu_2pHiiFTVmhuJAHRVuF6VbI2bhPm7rkZ-ViWc4itMhGg9XanI1RbeKd3-c5s2Poe12WnY7TC0Ic" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="367" /></a><li>forget needed materials at home and at school.<span id="docs-internal-guid-f63b9f6f-7fff-4456-91ea-ff05e3aaef4d"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></li><li>require prompts to complete homework.</li><li>need to re-read text.</li><li>have difficulties memorizing&nbsp;math facts.</li><li>have trouble comprehending a story.</li><li>have trouble remembering how to use grammar and sentence structure.</li><li>have difficulty following multi-step directions.</li><li>have trouble completing complex assignments.</li><li>struggle doing mental math.</li><li>need for more time and repetition.</li></ol><b><b><b><b>What are Three Ways to Improve Working Memory?</b></b></b></b><br /><div><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><b><b> </b></b></div><b> </b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The best way to improve working memory is to help kids become aware of their own cognition and take an active and present role in the learning process. One can nurture this by:<br /><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/working-memory" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m81GvgQuUvtDifAmzoaExs8XQkb6rf47cjrv76lsJDDujCqy7B467rO34FLf_ivqyMxMrSPtSG9lPgO2kRl5e7EVDxZ54lTM8BZm4Qst2xD24oTbW-4nlgKxyay1in1o-Vxo08NP" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="325" /></a><li>Exercising working memory and</li><ol><li>using highly structured and organized materials and tools such as those present in&nbsp;<a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/working-memory/products/planning-time-management-and-organization-for-success-download">Planning Time Management and Organization for Success</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/executive-functioning-7/products/the-ultimate-mindful-and-editable-planner-agenda">The Ultimate, Mindful and Editable Planner/Agenda</a></li><li>doing exercises such as those present in the&nbsp;<a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/bundles/products/working-memory-bundle">Working Memory and Hemisphere Integration Bundle</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/bundles/products/following-directions-primary-beginners-intermediate-bundle">Following Directions Bundle</a>.</li><li>playing games that exercise working memory such as those presented in the&nbsp;<a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/bundles/products/executive-functioning-games-bundle">Executive Functioning Games Bundle</a>.<span id="docs-internal-guid-9fe20344-7fff-f98c-84eb-b54a14996948"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-d256741f-7fff-9a7d-1dcc-dea53159487e"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></li></ol><li>Developing learner's capabilities to visualize.&nbsp; I offer both PowerPoints and fun activities that help to develop this skill.&nbsp; To learn more <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/search?type=product&amp;q=visualization">CLICK HERE</a>.</li><li>Managing one's inner voice.&nbsp;&nbsp;I offer a <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2017/01/mindfulness-training-improves-working.html">blog</a> that can tell you more about developing this skill as well as <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/working-memory/products/mindfulness-activity-cards-for-developing-working-memory">task cards</a>.&nbsp;<span id="docs-internal-guid-42fbbc37-7fff-bd1c-cc35-70aac4168a17"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></li></ol>Providing fun and engaging activities that require working memory such as Red Light, Green Light can help. However, ready-made activities that specifically exercise working memory can save time and focus an intervention plan. Come download some <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/111559?v=6">FREE SAMPLE ACTIVITIES</a>. Also, if you would like to learn about all my multisensory tools that develop working memory, <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/working-memory">CLICK HERE</a>.</div></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cheers, Erica</span></b></span></div>Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at <a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">Good Sensory Learning</a> and <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>. She is also the director of <a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a> and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/"> Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast: <a href="https://godyslexia.com/">https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />· Store: <a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/">http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">www.dyslexiamaterials.com</a><br />· Courses: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up: <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/11/what-do-working-memory-problems-look.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-8971069720786457362018-11-01T11:02:00.000-04:002018-11-01T11:02:17.465-04:00Why are Games the best Teaching Method for Learning?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In my practice as a learning specialist and educational therapist, I quickly learned that games were the secret weapon to learning.&nbsp; Candy,&nbsp;toys and other bribing forces trigger limited and brief bursts of motivation, but sparking a love for learning remains the bullseye.&nbsp; Everyone loves to play a game, and when instruction incorporates creative and multisensory merriment to combat and obliterate learning fatigue and frustration, even the most discouraged learners will rise to the occasion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIqYORjk2Go/W9R8HPnevCI/AAAAAAAAHFw/mdXoQfYc8BI7pe_BfIuKzYpurllvyF-yACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%252821%2529%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIqYORjk2Go/W9R8HPnevCI/AAAAAAAAHFw/mdXoQfYc8BI7pe_BfIuKzYpurllvyF-yACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%252821%2529%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><b>Why do Games Grasp the Hearts and Minds of Students?</b><br />Paring pleasantries and positive feelings with scholarship increases the motivation to learn over time.&nbsp; I can't tell you how upset I get when I learn that a student has been assigned school work as a punishment.&nbsp; This silent&nbsp;warfare&nbsp;wreaks havoc&nbsp;on self-directed learning and homework completion.&nbsp; In contrast, when humor, joy, comfort, and nurturance is associated with the process, an insatiable force is ignited.&nbsp; I have witnessed this transformation&nbsp;time and time again, and it amazes me how quickly and easily it can happen.<br /><br /><b>How Can I Embrace this Gaming Mentality?</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/educational-games" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt=" Educational Games" border="0" height="252" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/2bRlXCGIs_OwkSapVC2g7V-_jtF9FLM7-0fY64CXiuSo0SDMx0xZ8r0RT-qPtSQt5aIggwPeEPMfOk71_K2WTUypaqbwjMCBaRDNemVmS1o36FFTua750z52zHWnRAwvo8sz7rhz" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="252" /></a></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/search?type=product&amp;q=multisensory" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt=" Multisensory Lessons" border="0" height="252" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3tiAmPXYZW7Xhrn8tPyF8NPHhABcLRSy375G6haiMgcnLR5-PScIx9aUBeoHqVyTnTL7kT71Qk7EYznh9z2wTUab16mn8XzJkmg9o8PDlDtK4L8huznq82jv0qEKQB7tTbw_FAGM" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="252" /></a><li><b>Create fun and engaging titles for your lessons</b>: You can also bring humor into your lessons. <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-magic-of-humor-bring-silly-into.html">CLICK HERE</a> to learn more about this.&nbsp; Here is a sample of a humorous video that I created to help teach my students about fractions: https://youtu.be/ovftVSTAvCk<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></li><li><b>Be enthusiastic about the learning process</b>: Let your students know how excited you are about teaching the next lesson and share some enticing previews of some awesome games and activities that they will be experiencing.</li><li><b>Integrate games or fun activities into lessons:</b>&nbsp;Allow your students to “play” with the most important concepts. For example, when teaching prepositions, my students cut strips of paper and make an igloo for paper cutout of <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/products/prepositions-are-a-blast-with-preppy-the-preposition-penguin">Preppy the Preposition Penguin</a> so they can witness that a preposition is anything Preppy can do to his igloo.&nbsp; Another example is creating a mobile when teaching order of operations, called <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/products/my-pet-pemdas-digital-download">My Pet PEMDAS</a>.&nbsp; I offer many more <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/educational-games">educational games, activities</a>, and <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/search?type=product&amp;q=multisensory">multisensory lessons</a> that you purchase, or you can create them yourself.</li><li><b>Use fun methods to assure learning:</b>&nbsp;After a lesson, you can break the class into teams.&nbsp; You ask questions out loud.&nbsp; Students&nbsp;can quickly jot answers on personal whiteboards and hold them up. The first correct answer wins a point for the team.&nbsp; If the kids then highlight their notes with the content that was used in the game, they can use this information to help them prepare for any quizzes or tests.</li><li><b>Create or find fun and engaging assignments:</b>&nbsp; I usually create a variety of assignment options.&nbsp; This way students can select the most enjoyable option.&nbsp; I even allow them to propose their own assignments from time to time.&nbsp; The bottom line is I just want to make sure that they master the content.</li><li><b>Create a handout or webpage that offers fun places your&nbsp;students can go to preview and review topics:</b>&nbsp; Encourage them to share with you any other fun sites that make learning enjoyable.&nbsp; If I use their recommended resources on my own handouts or sites, I often give them a prize or extra credit points. Here is a link to my own personal homework help page:&nbsp;https://learningtolearn.biz/homework-help&nbsp;<span id="docs-internal-guid-e6d158da-7fff-1052-64aa-f517913b57f1"><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></span></li></ol>Next week we will talk about creating games for test review with your content as well as places to find fun instructional games and activities.<br /><div><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: Lora, serif; margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cheers, Erica</span></span></h2>Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at <a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">Good Sensory Learning</a> and <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>. She is also the director of <a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a> and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/"> Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast: <a href="https://godyslexia.com/">https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />· Store: <a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/">http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">www.dyslexiamaterials.com</a><br />· Courses: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up: <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a><br /><br /></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/11/why-are-games-best-teaching-method-for.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-56671826772342444802018-10-24T16:30:00.000-04:002018-10-24T21:07:05.344-04:00How to Meet the Individual Writing Needs of Your Students<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />With large classroom sizes, it is often challenging to meet the individual writing needs of each student. What makes it doubly difficult is the writing process involves a complicated synergy that requires students to physically write, type or <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/01/free-advice-for-mastering-voice-typing.html">dictate</a>, implement rules of written language/spelling, as well as generate and organize ideas. Those are a lot of tasks that require attention, and every student comes with their own unique preferences and needs.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWHdK1dA5AY/W8zr2WZRlLI/AAAAAAAAHFM/0QOG99-dk4s9_oc1vdL_2VT_oyWcHCRgQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%252819%2529%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hWHdK1dA5AY/W8zr2WZRlLI/AAAAAAAAHFM/0QOG99-dk4s9_oc1vdL_2VT_oyWcHCRgQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%252819%2529%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><b>So How Can a Single Teacher Manage the Writing Needs of Individual Students?</b><br />I find that when most students receive a graded, written assignment, they rarely look past the number. However, sprinkled across their papers are colorful hints and suggestions on how to accomplish higher marks as well as personalized clues on how to develop greater mastery over the written word. The best way to meet the individual needs of your budding writers is to provide the metacognitive strategies, tools, and feedback so that they can consciously learn to manage their writing while on the path to becoming accomplished writers. One of my favorite tools is an editing checklist. Now, let me share with you my approach.<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Metacognitive Strategies</b>: Metacognition is an internal process that students can use to plan, monitor, and assess their own understanding and performance. When applied to writing, it offers a quick and easy, self-directed strategy that helps students address any written language weaknesses.&nbsp;</li><li><b>Tools</b>: There are numerous tools to help develop written language skills, and one of my favorites is the editing checklist.&nbsp; This approach offers a series of mindful reminders to focus attention when students are correcting, condensing, or otherwise modifying their written work.</li><li><b>Feedback</b>: Every time a student receives feedback on writing assignments, they can use metacognition when reviewing comments and corrections to define the areas that require specific attention when planning a new written assignment and when editing a finished piece of writing. For example, a student may notice that their teacher is continually making corrections to verb tenses or word choice (due to the repetition of a single word).&nbsp; If this is the case, <i>check for verb tenses</i> and <i>use a thesaurus for repeated words</i> can be placed on a personal editing checklist. In addition, teachers can ask students to look over past writing assignments to define any other writing weaknesses so additions can be made to their checklists. As an added bonus, this type of assignment can help teachers evaluate each student's ability to critically analyze comments so that they can learn from past mishaps. If this is hard for a student, a teacher or learning specialist can help them through the process.&nbsp; Furthermore, peer editing activities can uncover some common boo-boos, and it provides students some practice in analyzing writing and teacher comments. This process, too, can help add valuable suggestions onto a student's editing checklist. Finally, teachers can meet one on one with students to review their editing checklists, so that they have all the needed pieces to improve their writing.&nbsp;</li></ol><div>Editing checklists do need to be refined over time, so as students grow, some items can be removed and others can be added.&nbsp; The trick is keeping the editing checklist mindfully tailored for present needs and current teacher expectations.</div><div><br /></div><div>By following the steps outlined above, each student can&nbsp;tailor their own editing checklist that can guide their attention for improved writing.&nbsp; What's more, they will learn how to be active, present learners that can critically analyze their writing and teacher comments for improved grades.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WICYzzWuWr0/W8zyjoSnjNI/AAAAAAAAHFY/Hu3vVnn0sN0nbzNCyhK5HUanTDp4PzRvgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%252820%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt=" Free Editing Checklists" border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WICYzzWuWr0/W8zyjoSnjNI/AAAAAAAAHFY/Hu3vVnn0sN0nbzNCyhK5HUanTDp4PzRvgCK4BGAYYCw/s400/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%252820%2529.jpg" width="266" /></a>Again, it is critical to provide students with metacognitive strategies, tools, and feedback, so that they can consciously learn to manage and develop their writing skills.&nbsp; To help you with this, I would like to offer you a freebie!<br /><br /><b>Free Editing Checklist</b><br />To help you and your students think about the many possible editing needs, I would love to offer you <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/446297?v=7">free copies of my editing checklists for elementary, middle school and high school/college</a>.&nbsp; This is one of many resources that is available in my course <a href="https://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/courses/color-coded-writing-a-structured-and-multisensory-approach-to-teaching-writing-skills">Teaching Writing Skills - A Structured and Multisensory Approach</a>.<br /><b><br /></b> <b>Where Can I Learn Other Strategies and Tools to Help Struggling Writers?</b><br />I would love to tell you about my comprehensive course! <a href="https://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/courses/color-coded-writing-a-structured-and-multisensory-approach-to-teaching-writing-skills">Teaching Writing Skills - A Structured and Multisensory Approach</a> is a detailed, online course for teachers, parents, and educational therapists/learning specialists/tutors that shares my own dynamic, multisensory methods for teaching students of all ages and abilities. The course offers video instruction and demonstrations as well as free downloadable games, materials, and handouts. Furthermore, I implement and integrate a number of cutting-edge technology tools that keep the process highly organized, and I walk you through the entire process. You, too, can teach your students to be highly competent and confident writers.&nbsp; I hope to get to&nbsp;know you in the course!<br /><br /><b>How Can I Learn More About the Course?</b><br />Come on over to <a href="https://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/courses/color-coded-writing-a-structured-and-multisensory-approach-to-teaching-writing-skills">my landing page</a> to learn more, or you can watch the video below.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzUmqPyq3YBYyUr1MhK-BlKYeICEKgsMBHmC7LNl4Pf16XWjI8RUn4ectO6NgcZFDXCwtAl7HHT6x4IzUJ_3A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0' /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: start;">I'm so pleased to share this course with you, and I'm here to answer any questions. Reach out any time by emailing me at erica@goodsensorylearning.com.</span></div><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: Lora, serif; margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cheers, Erica</span></span></h2>Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at <a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">Good Sensory Learning</a> and <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>. She is also the director of <a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a> and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/"> Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast: <a href="https://godyslexia.com/">https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />· Store: <a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/">http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">www.dyslexiamaterials.com</a><br />· Courses: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up: <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/10/how-to-meet-individual-writing-needs-of.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-40101022640151889102018-10-17T17:00:00.000-04:002018-10-17T17:00:02.260-04:00The Best, Free Following Directions Activities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Learning to follow both oral and written instructions is a vital skill that students need to learn at an early age.&nbsp; However, grabbing their attention long enough to learn the complicated process can be challenging!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQVS5H09byQ/W8FBRZ9mlxI/AAAAAAAAHD0/0bBSB8SW4UU9Fd4abyQe--olJSVrF9MxwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%252815%2529%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQVS5H09byQ/W8FBRZ9mlxI/AAAAAAAAHD0/0bBSB8SW4UU9Fd4abyQe--olJSVrF9MxwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%252815%2529%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><b>Why are Following Directions a Difficult Skill for Young Learners?</b><br />Following directions involves a combination of mental tasks. Therefore, for a student to be good at this, he or she&nbsp;needs to be proficient at the following skills, and he or she also needs to be able to do them simultaneously:<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Attention</b> is the ability to maintain focus on a selected stimulus, sustaining that focus and shifting it at will.<!--EndFragment--></li><li><b>Receptive language</b>&nbsp;is the ability to understand language “input” - including both words and gestures.<span style="font-family: &quot;calibri&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">&nbsp;</span><!--EndFragment--></li><li><b>Memory</b>&nbsp;is the ability to understand and remember information over time.<!--EndFragment--></li><li><b>Verbal reasoning&nbsp;</b>is the ability to understand and reason with words.<!--EndFragment--></li><li><b>Executive Functioning</b>&nbsp;is the ability to multitask, self-monitor, self-initiate, plan, prioritize and organize information.&nbsp; It is the internal system that controls and regulates our cognitive&nbsp;processes.</li></ol><div><b>How and When Should I Teach This Skill?</b></div><div><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/bundles/products/following-directions-megabundle" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt=" Following Directions Mega-bundle" border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1NovXM_43OU/W8FElF1rODI/AAAAAAAAHEE/zy4bQU4UfYcec5O06SFuYBqN6e3x8s0uQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a>I love to teach this skill through games and fun activities.&nbsp; I often use them as morning warm-ups, a reward when students finish classroom&nbsp;assignments, and they are great for language arts learning stations.&nbsp; I also like to use them in one to one sessions with students that struggle with the language behind multi-step rules and multiple choice questions.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Where Can I Find Fun Materials?&nbsp;</b></div>To get your <b>FREE</b> Following Directions Activities, <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/111543?v=7">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp; If you would like to learn more about Dr. Warren's suite of following directions activities, <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/search?type=product&amp;q=following+directions">CLICK HERE</a>.<br /><div><br />I'm always here to help. Reach out any time.<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Cheers, Erica</span><br />Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at <a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">Good Sensory Learning</a> and <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>. She is also the director of <a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a> and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/"> Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast: <a href="https://godyslexia.com/">https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />· Store: <a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/">http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">www.dyslexiamaterials.com</a><br />· Courses: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up: <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS Mincho"; 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mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:JA;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Cambria",serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:JA;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-best-free-following-directions.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-47836569742168397662018-10-11T13:39:00.000-04:002018-10-11T13:41:26.469-04:005 Fun Games and Activities to Strengthen Listening Skills<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I'm happy to continue a discussion on listening skills from my prior blog post, "<a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/09/what-are-7-root-origins-of-poor.html">What are the 7 Root Origins of Poor Listening Skills</a>?"&nbsp; This past blog reviewed the cognitive skills behind listening.&nbsp; Now, I would love to share the games and activities&nbsp;that I use to improve listening skills in my own students.<br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fh4yVGftEFM/W7fUOiEzAbI/AAAAAAAAG_4/Xp80XBVJ02UA1TtzO5nDLSr7QjtU2q1ZgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-07-20%2Bat%2B5.10.49%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fh4yVGftEFM/W7fUOiEzAbI/AAAAAAAAG_4/Xp80XBVJ02UA1TtzO5nDLSr7QjtU2q1ZgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-07-20%2Bat%2B5.10.49%2BPM.jpg" /></a><b>It's all in the Presentation:</b></h3>Here are three magic steps:<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Motivating lesson titles can hook your learners&nbsp;and feed&nbsp;eager and enthusiastic attitudes.&nbsp;</li><li>Upbeat and animated presentations can grab your students' attention and get them engrossed in the content.&nbsp;</li><li>Integrate fun and interactive games that reinforce the concepts so that the content sticks.&nbsp;</li></ol><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Games and Activities that Strengthen Listening Skills:</b></h3>If you know anything about me, you know that I love games and fun, multisensory activities.&nbsp; In fact, if I don't already have a game or fun activity to practice new concepts, then one is quickly created.&nbsp; Here are some of my favorite ways to improve listening skills.<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"></ol><b>1) Story Balloon Ride</b>: Have the students stand or sit in a circle. Choose a student to begin and give the student a balloon.&nbsp; Ask the student to start a story.&nbsp; They only have to create the first sentence.&nbsp; When they are finished, ask them to pass the balloon to the student on their left, who comes up with the next sentence. Continue around the room a few times.&nbsp; (*Rule - You can only speak while you have the balloon in your hands).<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/products/executive-functioning-game-memory-master" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-at_m9UM4GKk/W7fcQch2znI/AAAAAAAAHAc/e2c6Uh6PD30hqWWL2JAp92dYXkBr46kywCK4BGAYYCw/s320/--Final%2BMemory%2BMaster%2Bdirections.png" width="288" /></a><b>2) Memory Master:&nbsp;</b>This fun, card game and cognitive remedial tool strengthens listening skills and executive functioning skills: working memory, management of distractions, attention to detail, stamina, response inhibition, as well as sustaining attention and mental shifting. For remedial purposes, Memory Master helps players learn to encode and recall a series of directives. Players pick a card and then hear the directives from the administrator. The player then "says it" (repeats back the directives), "sees it" (visualizes and adds sensory details to the directives) and then "shows it" (acts out the directives). After a distraction, players see what they can remember.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/products/executive-functioning-game-memory-master">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to learn more.</div><div><br /></div><b>3) Mirror You, Mirror Me</b>: Have the students stand or sit in a circle. Choose a student to start and give the student a ball.&nbsp; Ask the student to share something that they are grateful for. For&nbsp;example, "I'm grateful for this beautiful day."&nbsp; When they are finished, they can toss the ball to another student in the circle.&nbsp; They repeat back what they heard ("Sue is grateful&nbsp;for this beautiful&nbsp;day") and then they share their own gratitude ("I'm grateful for hot buttered rolls."). Continue until all students have repeated the prior student's gratitude as well as their own.&nbsp; As an added bonus, the teacher can ask challenge questions such as, "Does anyone remember who was grateful for this beautiful day?"<br /><div><br /></div><b>4) Sort&nbsp;it Out</b>: Have the students sit in a circle.&nbsp;Verbally share with your students&nbsp;a single main idea like fruit, transportation, states... Then begin to call out words. Whenever you say a detail that fits under that main idea, the students stand up. If it doesn’t fit the category, they should remain seated. Once standing, they should remain standing until they hear another detail that fits under the main idea.&nbsp; At this time they should sit down.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/search?type=product&amp;q=following+directions" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt=" Following Directions" border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71rRCHklazY/W7fZ0vp-SsI/AAAAAAAAHAQ/MtXIfNvrjLAukWSe9kVOjw0GY5aX98QjgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Picture%2B94.png" width="254" /></a></div><b>5) Following Directions The Fun and Easy Way:&nbsp;</b>This is a series of fun, printable, and engaging activities that strengthen language processing skills.&nbsp; Students either listen to or read directions that guide them to color, follow mazes, or complete&nbsp;process or elimination grids.&nbsp;&nbsp;This student favorite exercises the ability to follow written/oral directions, understand test questions and interpret multiple-choice items. &nbsp;It helps students master the subtleties of linguistic cues and also helps to develop spatial, sequential, memory, attentional and executive functioning skills. <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/search?type=product&amp;q=following+directions">CLICK HERE</a> or on the image to learn more.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I'm always here to help.&nbsp; Reach out any time.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cheers, Erica</span><br />Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at&nbsp;<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">Good Sensory Learning</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>. She is also the director of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a>&nbsp;and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">&nbsp;Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast:&nbsp;<a href="https://godyslexia.com/">https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />· Store:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/">http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">www.dyslexiamaterials.com</a><br />· Courses:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up:&nbsp;<a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/10/8-fun-games-and-activities-to.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-55595533688621643422018-10-03T12:44:00.000-04:002018-10-03T12:44:42.788-04:00What are the Signs of Dysgraphia and Solutions for Success?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Dysgraphia is a learning disability that affects written language: spelling, capturing ideas on paper, visual-spatial skills, and fine motor skills such as handwriting. Different terms are used to describe these difficulties. In fact, the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) doesn’t use the term dysgraphia but uses the phrase “an impairment in written expression” which is under the category of “specific learning disorder.”<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><img height="900" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5GW3dNPC-MozeBGJM0NCOHiEHTSTn8YY7cxlk1V88K0wzgrqqNvDKbiHm-CjMqFXT5LamkEdxX6vUbyblk652cMbhOdkih8Xj1Z_NGo2Q6lnCw2TqwqvmbeQUVJKVeLjOdCeS4hQ" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="600" /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">What are the Signs of Dysgraphia or Impairment in Written Expression?</h2><h3 style="text-align: left;">Handwriting is</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Messy or illegible&nbsp;</li><li>Covered in cross-outs and erased text</li><li>Burdened with improper spacing between letters and words</li><li>Hindered with oversized and crooked letters and words</li><li>Disrupted with a combination of lower and uppercase letters as well as a mixture of print and script</li><li>Misaligned when doing math problems</li></ul><h3>Labored written language includes</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Pencil grip is cramped and strained</li><li>Word repetition</li><li>Word and punctuation omissions</li><li>Sentences are unfinished</li><li>Avoidant behavior and frustration when needing to complete writing assignments</li><li>Word finding problems and trouble coming up with ideas for writing assignments</li><li>Student tiring quickly when writing</li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;">Poor spelling and syntax includes</h3><ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><li>Trouble recalling how to spell words</li><li>Spelling the same word differently, even on the same page</li><li>Letter omissions</li><li>Poor grammar and sentence structure</li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;">Other issues</h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Some kids with dysgraphia struggle with critical thinking and putting in ideas into their own words.&nbsp; Their verbal abilities far exceed their written output.</li><li>Some children with dysgraphia also struggle with other diagnoses such as <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2014/09/simplifying-what-is-best-for-adhd.html">ADHD</a>, dyspraxia, and <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2017/02/do-i-have-dyslexia-explaining-symptoms.html">dyslexia</a>.</li><li>Some students with dysgraphia experience clinical&nbsp;levels of stress when asked to write.</li><li>Many learners with dysgraphia have a poor academic self-concept.</li><li>Many students with dysgraphia are embarrassed for others to see their handwriting and written language.</li><li>Many have trouble slowing their thought processes to accommodate their slow and labored writing.</li><li>Many have difficulty maintaining their posture when writing.&nbsp; They may slump in the chair and pull away from their work.</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: left;">What are the Steps you can Take to Help a Child with Dysgraphia?</h2><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Understand the signs and symptoms.</li><li>Take notes on the specific symptoms that you see at home.</li><li>Ask the teachers if they're seeing any signs of dysgraphia.</li><li>Pursue an educational evaluation and investigate if there are other difficulties such as dyslexia, ADHD or dyspraxia.</li><li>Work with a learning specialist/educational therapist and/or occupational therapist and develop fine motor and visual processing skills. Three of my favorite products/Apps are <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/grades-1-3/products/color-coded-handwriting">Color Coded Writing</a> and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ne/app/touch-and-write/id504319132?mt=8">Touch and Write</a>, and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cursive-touch-and-write/id528183660?mt=8">Cursive Touch and Write</a>.</li><li>Determine <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2016/06/list-of-reasonable-accommodations-and.html">reasonable accommodations</a> in the classroom.</li><li>Uncover the appropriate technology tools that can help each student work around their areas of deficits (see suggestions below).</li><li>Make writing highly structured and organize by taking Dr. Warren’s course - <a href="https://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/courses/color-coded-writing-a-structured-and-multisensory-approach-to-teaching-writing-skills">Teaching Writing Skills</a>. This will provide the multisensory tools, instruction, handouts, and technology training for teaching written language to students of all ages.</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: left;">Skills Impacted by Dysgraphia</h2><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Fine motor dexterity</b> - is the coordination of small muscle movements with the hands and other parts of the body. They may have difficulties with activities such as puzzles, using scissors, tying their shoes, holding a pencil, writing legibly.</li><li><b>Visual processing</b> - is making sense of the visual information in the environment. These students may have problems with activities such as letter and number spacing, writing on a line, forming letters numbers and shapes, making sense of maps and other visually dense information, and/or copying images.</li><li><b>Visual spatial skills</b>&nbsp;is the ability to understand, reason and remember the relations among characters or objects in space. This often manifests with difficulties completing puzzles, copying images, keeping writing on the lines and problems with spacing between words.</li><li><b>Planning and organization of ideas</b> - involves taking all the needed information and coordinating a coherent written response. This may include recalling information, recognizing important main ideas and details, finding the right words, and using proper grammar, punctuation, and syntax.</li></ul><h2 style="text-align: left;">Strategies for Accommodating and Overcoming Problems Associated with Dysgraphia</h2><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Use voice to text technology such as <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/01/free-advice-for-mastering-voice-typing.html">Voice typing</a> on Google Docs.&nbsp;</li><li>Use apps such as <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/notability/id360593530?mt=8">notability</a> for taking class notes. This will enable students to take pictures of the smart board or Blackboard, another student's notes, graphs and more. It will also enable them to write bigger and shrink their handwriting down. If they're writing is crooked they can even select the text and straighten the orientation. Furthermore, notability allows the students to record their teacher's words when needed.&nbsp;</li><li>Use TheMathist - <a href="http://www.themathist.com/app">http://www.themathist.com/app</a> to write out math notes and pull information into Google docs or Notability.</li><li>Use TextHelp's <a href="https://www.texthelp.com/en-us/products/equatio/">EquatIO</a> to type or speak out math!</li><li>Use a scribe or a “secretary” to capture ideas in written form.</li><li>Reduce the length of assignments and oral assignments when possible.&nbsp;</li><li>Get a copy of the teacher’s notes or another student’s class notes.&nbsp;</li><li>Make writing highly structured and organize by taking Dr. Warren’s course - <a href="https://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/courses/color-coded-writing-a-structured-and-multisensory-approach-to-teaching-writing-skills">Teaching Writing Skills</a>. This provides multisensory tools, step by step videos instruction, a color-coded approach, printable handouts, and technology training for teaching written language to students of all ages.&nbsp;</li><li>Provide large graph paper for completing math problems so that each digit or variable can fit into their own box and problems can be lined up.</li><li>Offer extended time on tests and assignments that require handwritten or typed responses.</li><li>Provide highly structured activities/assignments and break assignments down into manageable chunks with clear expectations and deadlines.</li><li>Offer assistance with proofreading. Help the student to create their own editing checklist.&nbsp;</li><li>Provide paper with raised or different colored lines to help with the formation of letters, words, and sentences.&nbsp;</li><li>Find a <a href="https://amzn.to/2Olxf22">comfortable pencil grip</a> that fits over the pencil. This can help position the thumb, index and middle finger correctly.</li><li>Try writing on a <a href="https://amzn.to/2Qk9J2S">slant board</a>&nbsp;or a 3-inch binder.&nbsp; Writing on a slanted surface allows the wrist to extend, the fingers flex and for the hand to naturally fall into a better writing position.&nbsp;</li><li>Use graphic organizers to help break writing projects into manageable steps.</li><li>Scan worksheets so they can be completed on a computer.&nbsp; There are a few free iPad apps that let kids complete photographed worksheets on a tablet. Two are <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/paperport-notes/id476134017?mt=8">PaperPort Notes</a> and <a href="http://www.snaptypeapp.com/">SnapType</a>.</li><li>Consider pursuing an evaluation to see if vision therapy may help.</li></ul><div>I hope you found this helpful.&nbsp; Reach out any time!</div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Cheers, Erica</h3>Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at <a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">Good Sensory Learning</a> and <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>. She is also the director of <a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a> and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/"> Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast: <a href="https://godyslexia.com/">https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />· Store: <a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/">http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">www.dyslexiamaterials.com</a><br />· Courses: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up: <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/10/what-are-signs-of-dysgraphia-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-10583733706358164912018-09-26T16:00:00.000-04:002018-09-26T16:00:09.405-04:00What are the 7 Root Origins of Poor Listening Skills?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It is easy for parents and even teachers to lose their cool when children do not listen to repeated directions. So, if kids aren’t making sense of what they hear, how can the learning process even take place? To solve this problem, it is necessary to uncover the root causes of poor listening skills.&nbsp; Then, one must find the individualized, cognitive-based culprits for each student.&nbsp;<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h2><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--GTXmKM9eUc/W6ZibkUP0NI/AAAAAAAAG-8/CsIWpRad8IEHcJavnhpkDWQmE9eKBBrkQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%252813%2529%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--GTXmKM9eUc/W6ZibkUP0NI/AAAAAAAAG-8/CsIWpRad8IEHcJavnhpkDWQmE9eKBBrkQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%252813%2529%2B2.jpg" /></a></span></div></h2><h3 style="text-align: left;">What are the Cognitive Skills Behind Listening?</h3></div>There are a number of core cognitive skills that support one's capacity to listen:<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/language-arts-following-directions-10" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lhUnI4cFUY0/W6Zwy_QX4JI/AAAAAAAAG_U/DfbjRSwn9_sg8kJS2qS7krnSPpokLzQqwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-09-22%2Bat%2B12.38.23%2BPM.jpg" width="320" /></a><li><b>Attention</b> - Attention is the ability to tune into information, sensations, and perceptions that are relevant in the moment.<b></b></li><li><b>Working memory</b> - Working memory is a cognitive function that enables students to recall and use relevant information to complete an activity. It also enables learners to hold multiple pieces of information in the mind and manipulate them. Often described as a mental workspace, working memory helps students stay focused, block distractions and stay abreast of their surroundings. If you are looking for ways to improve working memory <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2014/08/working-memory-definition-symptoms.html">CLICK HERE</a></li><li><b>Receptive language</b> - Receptive language is your brain’s ability to receive verbal and nonverbal information presented in the environment. It can involve organizing thoughts, following a sequence of directives, or even maintaining attention. To learn more about solutions to both receptive and expressive language problems <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2017/08/language-processing-disorder-12-easy.html">CLICK HERE</a>.</li><li><b>Auditory processing</b> - Auditory processing is the brain's interpretation of the sounds we hear. A weakness in auditory processing is not an issue with hearing, but with the understanding of what is heard. It's a complex skill that involves auditory synthesis, auditory closure, auditory sequencing, auditory discrimination, segmenting and auditory memory. To learn more about understanding and remediating auditory processing <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2015/07/dyslexia-understanding-and-remediating.html">CLICK HERE</a>.</li><li><b>Nonverbal listening skills</b> - Nonverbal listening skills are the visual cues or behaviors that one exhibits when paying attention.&nbsp; It is these cues or behaviors that communicate to the surrounding people that one is engaged and present. This includes eye contact as well as body language. For example, a disengaged child may slump in his chair and look out the window, while an engaged child gives direct eye contact, nods their head and leans forward over the desk.</li><li><b>Visualization</b> - Visualization is an internal process, and developing children's’ ability to visualize can provide them with a secret weapon that can enhance learning capacity, improve memory and spark creativity. In fact, the research shows that visualization improves reading comprehension, creative writing abilities and the encoding and retrieval of math, history and science concepts. To learn more about how visualization can improve attention and memory <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-key-to-improved-attention-and.html">CLICK HERE</a></li><li><b>Metacognition</b> - Metacognition is the self-regulation of one's own thinking, and it is often described as "thinking about thinking.” One uses higher order reasoning, visualization, and one's inner voice to actively control the thought processes and maintain engagement in learning. If you want to learn more about metacognition and mindful strategies for students <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/05/10-easy-metacognitive-and-mindful.html">CLICK HERE</a></li></ol><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Individualizing the Remedial Approach</b></h3><div>Now that you know the seven possible causes of poor listening skills, it will be important to consider each of these factors for each student.&nbsp; Once you have defined the root causes for each student, the best possible remedial approaches can be adopted.&nbsp; Tune in to next week’s blog when we will review fun games and activities that strengthen listening skills.</div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cheers, Erica</span><br />Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at <a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">Good Sensory Learning</a> and <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>. She is also the director of <a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a> and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/"> Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast: <a href="https://godyslexia.com/">https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />· Store: <a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/">http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">www.dyslexiamaterials.com</a><br />· Courses: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up: <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/09/what-are-7-root-origins-of-poor.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-91853227430308265662018-09-19T16:45:00.000-04:002018-09-19T16:45:00.629-04:00How to Teach Executive Functioning to Struggling Students<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Many teachers are miffed when apparently simple tasks such as using an agenda or turning in an assignment is difficult for their students. Many of my own students have shared that some teachers impose very strict rules and regulations about both recording assignments and due dates. In fact, I have witnessed policies that are so rigid, a zero is divvied out if an assignment is even a minute late. Unfortunately, harsh punishments do not provide the attention and instruction that these students need to develop this skill. Instead, penalties and labels such as careless, lazy and unmotivated simply place these frustrated learners in a state of learned helplessness.&nbsp; In contrast, these students need structured routines, comprehensive instruction, and a scaffolding approach to planning, managing time, and organizing.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yNR2t885C1k/W5wmBzz66TI/AAAAAAAAG9s/ZqhVEMB2XHE8u_mmxqWBkmQdIrZaewLCwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%252812%2529%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yNR2t885C1k/W5wmBzz66TI/AAAAAAAAG9s/ZqhVEMB2XHE8u_mmxqWBkmQdIrZaewLCwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%252812%2529%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><b>How Hard Can it Really Be to Plan, Manage Time and Organize?</b><br />I have to admit, when I first started working with students that struggled with executive functioning, I was perplexed about how challenging planning, time management, and organization could be. What seemed to be clear and obvious to me, seemed obscure, taxing and problematic for them.&nbsp; However, research now suggests that executive functioning, which encompasses these skills, can be a cognitive-based weakness and that even for the average learner, it is the last part of the brain to fully develop. Full maturation is not reached until students reach their early 20's.<br /><b><br />So, How Can You Teach Executive Functioning to Struggling Students?</b><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/executive-functioning-7" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt=" Executive Functioning and Attention Products" border="0" height="318" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uty63XQ1zKA/W5wc0xzs3NI/AAAAAAAAG9c/Og9DLmM4cUgjkTDhE-se9R9kzSiw6S3xACK4BGAYYCw/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-09-14%2Bat%2B4.35.19%2BPM.jpg" width="320" /></a><li>Learn to recognize the sign and symptoms.&nbsp;</li><li>Provide a clear structure and handouts that help students plan their time and materials.</li><li>Monitor that your students are recording assignments and creating deadlines on long-term projects.</li><li>Create a safe learning environment where students feel comfortable asking for help.</li></ol><b>So What are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Executive Functioning Problems? </b><br />There are a number of common signs and symptoms associated with students that struggle with executive functioning weaknesses. They often:<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>misplace or lose materials.</li><li>fail to turn in assignments.</li><li>leave things to the last minute.</li><li>underestimate the amount of time it will take to complete a task.</li><li>fail to record homework in an agenda or planner.</li><li>forget the needed materials.</li><li>forgo test preparation</li><li>resist planning and breaking down long-term assignments into manageable tasks or goals.</li><li>neglect to prepare for midterms or finals.</li><li>forget important details.</li><li>lose focus and miss important notes or directions.</li><li>lose mental stamina and fail to complete a task.</li><li>rush through work.</li></ol><b>So What are Some Specific Strategies?</b><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Generate a structured daily routine.</li><li>Set priorities and make to-do checklists.</li><li>Create a homework plan.&nbsp;</li><li>Teach study skills and test-taking strategies.</li><li>Illustrate note-taking skills.</li><li>Demonstrate time management skills by breaking large assignments into manageable chunks with numerous deadlines.</li><li>Teach memory strategies.</li><li>Help student motivation by offering incentives and positive reinforcement.&nbsp;</li><li>Create and use graphic organizers for writing.</li><li>Teach metacognitive skills by thinking through processes aloud.&nbsp;</li></ol><b>Where Can I Get Ready Made Materials?</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/executive-functioning-7/products/planning-time-management-and-organization-for-success-download" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt=" Planning, Time Management and Organization for Success" border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-2E31Z7qGg/W5wclDtSwLI/AAAAAAAAG9E/oOKeNLmMtJIIzq-NGyAAtCgm1l7gltH1wCK4BGAYYCw/s320/12_540x.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>To learn all about these strategies and more, <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/products/planning-time-management-and-organization-for-success-download">Planning, Time Management and Organization for Success</a> offers a 116 page publication on CD or digital download that offers methods and materials that help to structure, guide, and support students in the areas of time management, planning, and organization (executive functioning skills). This comprehensive document includes<br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>agendas</li><li>questionnaires</li><li>checklists</li><li>advice</li><li>assessments</li><li>graphic organizers for writing and test preparation.&nbsp;</li></ul>You will also find advice and materials in the areas of<br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>reading</li><li>math</li><li>memory</li><li>motivation</li><li>setting priorities</li><li>creating incentives programs.&nbsp;</li></ul>These materials were all created over a twenty year period in my private practice as an educational therapist. What’s more, the materials are varied and accommodate learners of all ages from elementary to college. Finally, get a free sample assessment from the publication, as well as view a free video on executive functioning. <a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/planning---organizing.html">Click Here</a><br /><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: Lora, serif; margin: 1em 0px;">Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren</h2>Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at <a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">Good Sensory Learning</a> and <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>. She is also the director of <a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a> and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/"> Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br />· Blog: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast: <a href="https://godyslexia.com/">https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />· Store: <a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/">http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">www.dyslexiamaterials.com</a><br />· Courses: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/</a><br /><br />Newsletter Sign-up: <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/09/how-to-teach-executive-functioning-to.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-59595929447132657692018-09-12T15:30:00.000-04:002018-09-12T15:30:02.911-04:00How to Address Spelling Needs and Nurture Student Success<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><div class="Standard">This week I am thrilled to share a case study of a fabulous teacher named Kim, from Cape Town in South Africa. Kim teaches a 3rd-grade class at a special needs school. The children range from 10-12 years old and most are bussed in daily from very disadvantaged areas all over the peninsula. Kim reported, "I was so thrilled to have stumbled across your website when I was drowning in a sea of unrecognizable words and paragraphs which were proudly presented to me by 8 out of my16 pupils." Kim knew they were capable, "as most of them could do math with the greatest of ease. So what was this?"</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-97EhhWaYfQ8/W5FmBQr-d0I/AAAAAAAAG7k/LOtRci2th5UUmuloYkRvv2pmaYnT9zfDgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-09-02%2Bat%2B3.03.23%2BPM.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-97EhhWaYfQ8/W5FmBQr-d0I/AAAAAAAAG7k/LOtRci2th5UUmuloYkRvv2pmaYnT9zfDgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-09-02%2Bat%2B3.03.23%2BPM.jpg" /></a></div><div><b>How Could Kim Meet the Diverse Needs of Her Students?</b><br /><div>Kim signed up for my course: <a href="https://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/courses/spelling-instruction-assessment-and-focused-remedial-approach-1">Spelling Instruction: Assessment and Focused Remedial Approach</a>.&nbsp; She shared, "After studying your course, I realized that my student's brains were wired differently as far as language processing." Kim learned that her struggling students had different cognitive based weaknesses that were causing the problems and that the secret to success was accommodating&nbsp; specific difficulties under the following headings:<br /><br /><div>1) <b>Auditory Processing</b>: Kim reported, "Some had problems with auditory processing and needed specific interventions" that are covered in the course. Here is one of Kim's new strategies: "I have had such fun grouping words into similar sounds and making up rhymes to help the children remember these groupings. To make it multisensory, they all say it, clap it or drum on the desk and write it. At this stage, we have:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/zcNgFXiEhJaNXNzPsMnlZKj1c6MVuQHXdjeFrf875t-fB3D0WwEspTeJL3UPo1gav3ESimCgDHcyJK9VRYr0Af-AtEnPpmVJhdqpJoEdMQZ5wu1SwVcL9X-kn8hXsbO1jCaSDMVh" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="564" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/zcNgFXiEhJaNXNzPsMnlZKj1c6MVuQHXdjeFrf875t-fB3D0WwEspTeJL3UPo1gav3ESimCgDHcyJK9VRYr0Af-AtEnPpmVJhdqpJoEdMQZ5wu1SwVcL9X-kn8hXsbO1jCaSDMVh" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="281" /></a></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-00dce819-7fff-8d21-8520-9d1af0b90609"></span><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The EAR words such as near, fear, rear. The rhyme goes like this:&nbsp;</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"There are some words that all have an EAR&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>They are near and fear and rear and dear."&nbsp;</i></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The HEN words (<i>then</i> and <i>when</i>)</li><li>The OLD words (<i>gold</i>, <i>cold</i>, <i>sold</i>, and <i>fold</i>)</li></ul><ul></ul>"When they write up the rhyme and list each week, they draw an ear, a hen or an old person above that chunk of the word. They love it as they contribute to building up the lists, and even multisyllabic words like APP<b>EAR</b> and&nbsp; DISAPP<b>EAR!</b>"</div><div><br />2)<b> Visual Processing</b>: Kim suggested, "The children that struggle with visual processing needed interventions that help with ordering letters correctly, practicing pattern formation, and discriminating the direction of letters." The course goes into great detail with an assessment and remedial suggestions, but here are a few recommended&nbsp;<a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/search?type=product&amp;q=visual+processing">visual processing tools</a>.<br /><div class="Standard"><br /></div>3) <b>Auditory and Visual Processing</b>: Kim indicated, "Then there are those who seem to have both auditory and visual processing problems."&nbsp; Again, the course offers an assessment tool as well&nbsp;as multisensory remedial recommendations.&nbsp; Here are some fun <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/reading-games">auditory processing resources</a>.<br /><div class="Standard"><br /></div><b>How is This New Form of Intervention Working in the Class?</b><br />Kim shared, "The wonderful thing is that ALL the children are benefiting from the multisensory lessons. There is a more relaxed vibe in the classroom as lessons have become more playful and fun. This has been most helpful with my stressed learners." In addition, Kim indicated, "the children with ADHD have become more engaged in the learning process as they love clapping, drumming, and doing dance moves when we spell aloud.<br /><div class="Standard"><br /></div><b>Kim Took my Suggestions to Heart</b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"I have also incorporated many of your insights such as writing on Flour Trays, using magnetic letters and utilizing bottle tops with letters on them."&nbsp;</li><li>"For the first time ever, I have dared to do literacy stations with my class. Because they are so busy doing stuff, it is working and beneficial - as opposed to a chaotic nightmare."&nbsp;</li><li>"I have also tried to implement your visualization techniques," so students can learn how to use their mind's eye to assist with learning and recall.</li><li>"Another thing, I have noticed is that they excitedly recognize word parts such as EAR and OLD when they read individually for me. The sequential teaching of the spelling rules and application in their creative writing has also improved."</li></ul>"All in all, Erica, I have learned a lot from this course...and like being able to return to the videos and text when necessary.<br /><br /><b>How Can I Learn More About This Spelling Course?&nbsp;</b><a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">Spelling Instruction: Assessment and Remedial Approach</a> is a comprehensive course and assessment that will teach you all you need to know to meet the needs of struggling spellers. This includes about 50 minutes of multisensory video-based instruction that you can refer back to at any time, a comprehensive spelling assessment with remedial recommendations, and a companion journal that is packed with useful information such as a term dictionary, a comprehensive list of Orton-Gillingham based reading programs, and assistive technology ideas.<br /><br />This course is updated as needed and offers lifetime access to the content. If you would like to learn more, click on the image below.<br /><div class="Standard"><span id="docs-internal-guid-8a64890d-eb5e-93b3-fc48-6bb0c7e3dd39" style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif; font-size: 20px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 20px;" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/" style="background: transparent; color: #78a024; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="171" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/H_ScQR_i0I9GbGsZENkud6hX_uCGEuobEFSpVNZhR-kIySWh0Tu2aF6EeqcBjFdNZQK7F5R1FJjQhvJ8Lh_Tc8bdLK8nm3qrj41c_YAb12zmerKK8HI9ufjfpAqUeyhaZB8yAziV" style="border: none; height: auto; max-width: 100%; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="624" /></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>It was a true pleasure to feature Kim's case study, and it is wonderful to learn about how she is helping all of her students to succeed! I hope you enjoyed this post.<br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren</b></h2>Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at&nbsp;<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">Good Sensory Learning</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>. She is also the director of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a>&nbsp;and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">&nbsp;Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br />· Blog:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast:&nbsp;<a href="https://godyslexia.com/">https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />· Store:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/">http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">www.dyslexiamaterials.com</a><br />· Courses:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/</a><br /><br />Newsletter Sign-up:&nbsp;<a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a><br /><div class="post-body-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 32px; margin-left: 140px; margin-top: 20px; orphans: 2; padding-right: 290px; position: relative; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="post-body entry-content float-container" id="post-body-9131754531078614194" style="color: #292929; font: 400 20px/2 Lora, serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-right: 110px;"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><h2 style="margin: 1em 0px; text-align: left;"></h2></div></div></div></div><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:SimSun; panose-1:2 1 6 0 3 1 1 1 1 1; mso-font-alt:宋体; mso-font-charset:134; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; 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mso-fareast-language:ZH-CN; mso-bidi-language:HI;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-hyphenate:none; text-autospace:ideograph-other;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style></div></div></div></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/09/how-to-address-spelling-needs-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-31928709476208650992018-09-04T16:24:00.000-04:002018-09-04T16:24:08.241-04:00What are the 5 Important Steps to Navigating Dyslexia?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Navigating and then overcoming the challenges that many individuals with dyslexia experience is a process that requires both time and patience. What's more, a vital approach that tames the turbulence is revealing and addressing inherent weaknesses while embracing the many gifts that come with this diagnosis.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jO6PHmDYc4g/W4GC5PuaP3I/AAAAAAAAG6M/7lfMEt5ML-sZVbBnyzy9OzIIgt2R13JdgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%252810%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jO6PHmDYc4g/W4GC5PuaP3I/AAAAAAAAG6M/7lfMEt5ML-sZVbBnyzy9OzIIgt2R13JdgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%252810%2529.jpg" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b> <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">What are the Five Steps to Navigating Dyslexia?</span></b><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Thorough Screening and Assessment:&nbsp;</b>The first step is to complete a&nbsp;<a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/02/free-dyslexia-screener-should-testing.html">free dyslexia screener</a>, and, if needed, pursue a comprehensive psycho-educational assessment.&nbsp; This will help to uncover the specific areas of difficulty that need to be addressed and it will also define each student's&nbsp;"genius" qualities that can be fully realized and utilized.</li><li><b>In-Depth Understanding:&nbsp;</b>The second step is to have a comprehensive understanding of the unique strengths and weaknesses of each learner. By tapping into a student's strengths they can learn to develop compensatory learning strategies. With guidance and a <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2016/01/maximize-learning-keeping-students-in.html">scaffolding approach</a>, students with dyslexia can learn to work around difficulties by using their talents. &nbsp;For instance, a student may struggle with writing due to spelling and graphomotor weaknesses. However, if this student also possesses excellent expressive language skills, they could use speech recognition software to sidestep their difficulties. On the other hand, by remediating areas of challenge, students can often improve cognition and develop new neural pathways for learning. For example, by repeatedly exercising a specific area of cognition, a student's capabilities can improve over time.</li><li><b>Multisensory Lessons: </b>The third step is to find the needed&nbsp;<a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/07/how-multisensory-teaching-works-inspire.html">multisensory instructors</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2017/11/100-powerful-learning-specialist-and.html">multisensory methods</a>, and therapist/coach. Educational therapists and learning specialists are usually the best professionals to assist with this form of intervention as many can provide all of these services. You can learn more about these professionals by reading my blog post:<a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2016/01/tutor-learning-specialist-and.html"> Tutor, Learning Specialist, and Educational Therapist: What's the Difference?</a>&nbsp; If you want to do it yourself, you can.&nbsp; Many parents decide to take on these roles, and with the right tools and guidance, this can be an excellent choice.&nbsp; To learn more about this option <a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/pages/homeschooling-dyslexia">CLICK HERE</a>.</li><li><b>Cognitive Remediation:&nbsp;</b>The fourth step is to pursue&nbsp;<a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2016/08/dyslexia-cognitive-remedial-therapy.html">cognitive&nbsp;remedial therapy</a>. Cognitive remedial therapy is an approach that uses focused activities or exercises that improve core neurocognitive abilities such as attention, working memory, mental flexibility, planning, processing speed as well as visual, auditory, sequential and simultaneous processing. If you would like to learn more about these tools you can <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/cognitive-remedial-products">click here</a> to see a large array of options and even get some free samples.</li><li><b>Comprehensive Support:&nbsp;</b>The fifth step is to offer the&nbsp;<a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2016/04/comprehensive-remediation-for-students.html">cognitive, emotional and physical support</a> so that those with dyslexia can reach their true potential.&nbsp; <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2017/02/mindfulness-training-improves-weak.html">Resilience</a> and a positive, <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2017/08/7-mindful-methods-boost-sensory.html">mindful attitude</a> can be achieved for struggling learners as long as&nbsp;they have a strong, supportive environment that addresses the mind, body, and spirit.&nbsp;</li></ol><div>I'm here to help, and I would love to hear your thoughts.&nbsp; Reach out any time.</div><br /><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: Lora, serif; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: left;">Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren</h2>Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at <a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">Good Sensory Learning</a> and <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>. She is also the director of <a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a> and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/"> Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br />· Blog: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast: <a href="https://godyslexia.com/">https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />· Store: <a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/">http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">www.dyslexiamaterials.com </a><br />· Courses: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/ </a><br /><br />Newsletter Sign-up: <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/09/what-are-5-important-steps-to.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-91317545310786141942018-08-22T13:57:00.000-04:002018-08-22T13:57:14.883-04:00Innovative Games Improve Reversals and Poor Body Scheme<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This week I’m pleased to introduce you to guest blogger and author, Mary Moynihan. Mary is a registered and pediatric, board-certified occupational therapist with 38 years of experience in the field of pediatrics. She has worked in a variety of settings including developmental education centers, neonatal intensive care unit, early intervention and preschool settings, as well as public schools and clinics. Most recently, she published, <a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/products/fun-kinesthetic-games-to-improve-gross-motor-and-perceptual-skills">Fun Kinesthetic Games to Improve Gross Motor and Perceptual Skills</a>, one of our newest downloads that is available at <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>.<o:p></o:p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LxKFHNpUrEo/W3r98Rcf_YI/AAAAAAAAG5Y/b3BKKIDsZNsog4gzgNUHUJDn-3Dv58w-gCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%25288%2529%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LxKFHNpUrEo/W3r98Rcf_YI/AAAAAAAAG5Y/b3BKKIDsZNsog4gzgNUHUJDn-3Dv58w-gCLcBGAs/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%25288%2529%2Bcopy.jpg" /></a></div>I’m sure that over the years you have known children who appear a little “lost in space.” These are the children that bump into every desk on their way to the front of the room, don’t realize they have fallen out of their chair till they land on the floor, and continually rub against the walls as they walk&nbsp;down the hallways. They may be able to stand on one foot when their eyes are open, but if you ask them to close their eyes, and take away visual input, they crumble to the floor.<br /><br /><b>What Causes Children to be “Lost in Space?”</b><div>Most likely these children are receiving poor proprioceptive feedback from their muscles, so they rely heavily on tactile input from the floor or walls, and visual input from looking at their environment to stay oriented. When one crucial form of sensory input is diminished, it requires more concentration to function during the school day.<br /><b><br />How Can Children Develop their Body Scheme?</b><br />We all receive proprioceptive input from our muscles throughout the day. This input lets us know if our muscles are moving or not, and how fast or strong we need to contract our muscles to coordinate an activity. This feedback, when it is well integrated, is subconscious, so a child doesn’t need to concentrate on using their muscles to sit up straight during circle time, instead of leaning on the student next to him, while trying to pay attention to what the teacher is saying. Many children who process proprioceptive input poorly can benefit from seeing an occupational therapist to improve their body scheme. With a well-developed body scheme, the child will know, on a subconscious level, how all the pieces of his body can work together.<br /><br /><b>What are the Benefits of a Mature Body Scheme?</b><br />A mature body scheme is the building block for more complicated skills. Think how taxing it can be for these children to coordinate activities like catching a ball, or forming letters on a page, when they can’t receive information about how their arm or hand is moving. When a child doesn’t understand how their own body is oriented, they have difficulty orienting letters such as b, d, p, and q without reversing the positions on the page. They may be asked to print their name on the top right corner of the paper, but they don’t know their right from their left yet. These issues can be very discouraging for the student, and often hinders their academic progress.</div><div><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KvWepz3o86w/W3r-GelgNoI/AAAAAAAAG5c/PR-iHiKb894QCEUbCSiJaUoilLCsbh9xQCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-17%2Bat%2B8.26.24%2BPM.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KvWepz3o86w/W3r-GelgNoI/AAAAAAAAG5c/PR-iHiKb894QCEUbCSiJaUoilLCsbh9xQCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-17%2Bat%2B8.26.24%2BPM.jpg" /></a><br /><b>What are Some Activities I Can Do at Home or in the Classroom?</b><br />If these children are able to receive occupational therapy (OT), treatment will most likely concentrate on using heavy work patterns, tactile input, and movement to improve proprioceptive input and overall body scheme. However, there are activities you can do in the classroom, or at home to improve body scheme. The e-book <a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/products/fun-kinesthetic-games-to-improve-gross-motor-and-perceptual-skills">Fun Kinesthetic Games to Improve Gross Motor and Perceptual Skills</a> can provide these children with exciting and interactive activities they can practice to feel more confident, engaged and oriented when presented with academic challenges. When their body feels less “lost in space” they can spend more time concentrating on enjoying the learning process, from a well-grounded perspective.<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Written by: Mary Moynihan.<br /><br />I hope you enjoyed this blog post! We would love to hear your thoughts.<br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b>Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren</b></h2>Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at <a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">Good Sensory Learning</a> and <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>. She is also the director of <a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a> and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/"> Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br />· Blog: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast: <a href="https://godyslexia.com/">https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />· Store: <a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/">http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">www.dyslexiamaterials.com </a><br />· Courses: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/ </a><br /><br />Newsletter Sign-up: <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/08/innovative-games-improve-reversals-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-46695065768800418972018-08-16T09:13:00.002-04:002018-10-06T19:52:13.446-04:00How to Edit Google Documents with Free Text to Voice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Text to speech has been used as an accommodation for the blind and struggling readers, but did you know that it is a valuable device for writers too? In fact, I often teach all of my students how to use this technology to help them edit their essays and papers.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6FpVvtx7mY/W3HyrSC2ZjI/AAAAAAAAG34/QFS8kHgRucgSkxkHRkI_QUFIutY2jDPywCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6FpVvtx7mY/W3HyrSC2ZjI/AAAAAAAAG34/QFS8kHgRucgSkxkHRkI_QUFIutY2jDPywCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%25287%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>What is Text to Speech?</b><br />Text to Speech is a form of assistive technology that uses speech synthesis to convert text to a spoken, computerized voice. In other words, the computer reads aloud the text on the screen.<br /><br /><b>How can Text to Speech Assist with Editing?</b><br /><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/search?type=product&amp;q=executive+functioning" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt=" Executive functioning remedial materials" border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fejCGFVI3x0/W7lJ_tDg1WI/AAAAAAAAHBk/bmwwMWGommEdRmvdlJsGyydQ-35BYvadACK4BGAYYCw/s320/12.jpg" width="320" /></a>Many students struggle to edit their own work because they often read their&nbsp;words as they meant to write them. Furthermore, some errors remain difficult to see. For example, simple letter and word reversals such as "was" and "saw," are often overlooked when&nbsp;visually scan text or using a spell checker. In addition, many young learners get confused by words that look similar but are pronounced differently such as loose and lose. Text to Speech allows students to hear the mishaps that they may not see!<br /><br /><b>How Can I Access Text to Speech in Google Docs?</b><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJzkQfqQwIA/W3V29GhRncI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/UFUi6w7V2NUlR-k8idYNvkRMaw5ZactrwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-01%2Bat%2B10.50.52%2BAM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJzkQfqQwIA/W3V29GhRncI/AAAAAAAAG4Q/UFUi6w7V2NUlR-k8idYNvkRMaw5ZactrwCK4BGAYYCw/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-08-01%2Bat%2B10.50.52%2BAM.jpg" width="192" /></a><li>Select the Menu called Add-ons</li><li>Select Get Add-ons</li><li>In the "Search add-ons" box type "Reader"</li><li>Select the blue button that says, "FREE"</li><li>Now go back to the menu called Add-ons and select Reader</li><li>Open Reader and a sidebar will appear on the right of Google Docs.</li><li>Select a preferred voice (there are many options) and also adjust the rate and pitch</li><li>When you select the sunglasses&nbsp;icon, you will hear the computer read your text</li><li>If you want to hear specific text, highlight the text before you select the sunglasses icon</li></ol><div>What about Speech to Text or Voice Typing?</div><div>This is also a great feature on google docs that I love to teach my students.&nbsp; If you would like to learn more about this consider reading my&nbsp;blog, <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2016/02/free-text-to-speech-on-google-docs.html">Free Speech to Text on Google</a>.&nbsp; In addition, if you would like a free copy of all the Google Docs - Voice Typing - voice commands, <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/322452?v=6">CLICK HERE</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: left;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope you found this blog post informative. &nbsp;If you have any thoughts or comments, please share them below this post.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren</span></b></div><br />Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at&nbsp;<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">Good Sensory Learning</a>&nbsp;and <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>. She is also the director of <a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a> and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/"> Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast:&nbsp;<a href="https://godyslexia.com/">https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />· Store:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/">http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/</a>&nbsp;&amp; <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">www.dyslexiamaterials.com&nbsp;</a><br />· Courses:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/&nbsp;</a><br /><br />Newsletter Sign-up: <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a> </div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/08/how-to-edit-google-documents-with-free.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-19153714752722106692018-08-07T20:57:00.001-04:002018-10-21T17:16:38.235-04:00How to Teach Writing: A Structured and Multisensory Approach<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><br /><section class="course-details" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 60px; padding-top: 60px;"><div class="column course-details__body" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 55px; padding-right: 55px;"><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;">In my practice as a learning specialist and educational therapist, I have witnessed that students are receiving less and less writing instruction in school. In fact, it is an academic skill that is requested by most parents, homeschoolers, and young adults that come to see me in my practice.<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #5b5b5b; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDV_hFs9qOw/W2idFaNRxxI/AAAAAAAAG3I/oZkBo2_Rvg8VK-S-KU3HXD1XMSOS5jpmACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%25284%2529.jpg" /><a href="https://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/courses/color-coded-writing-a-structured-and-multisensory-approach-to-teaching-writing-skills">https://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/courses/color-coded-writing-a-structured-and-multisensory-approach-to-teaching-writing-skills</a></span></div><br /><b>What is my Experience Teaching Writing?</b></div><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;">Over the past 20 years, I have had enormous success teaching discouraged and struggling writers, and it has taken me much of that time to create all the materials and high tech solutions.&nbsp; This multisensory and highly structured approach works with all students from the gifted to those with learning disabilities.&nbsp; In addition, my methods work for students in elementary, middle school and high school.<br /><br /><b>How Can I Learn to Be an Accomplished Writing Specialist?</b><br />Now, I'm happy to share my approach with you! Teaching Writing Skills - A Structured and Multisensory Approach is a comprehensive course for teachers, parents, and tutors that shares my own dynamic methods for students of all ages. The course offers video instruction and demonstrations as well as free downloadable games, materials, and handouts for your&nbsp;students. In addition, I implement and integrate a number of amazing technology tools that keep the process highly organized, and I walk you through the process.&nbsp; You, too, can teach your students to be highly competent and confident writers.</div><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><br /></div><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><b>How Can I Learn More About the Course?</b></div><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;">Come on over to <a href="https://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/courses/color-coded-writing-a-structured-and-multisensory-approach-to-teaching-writing-skills">my landing page</a> to learn more, or you can watch the video below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy-unPDty3elAFebtuHebh7pv2gNJ7O0wTN_EYkw5MS3oiaRWXY4Ft33Lr0KEG2aPEQjwjOG5chj7se0QMSpw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0' /></div><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><b><br /></b>I'm so excited about sharing this course with you, and I'm here to answer any questions.&nbsp; Reach out any time by emailing me at erica@goodsensorylearning.com</div><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><br /></div><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><b>Do You Have Other Courses?</b></div><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;">Yes!&nbsp; I now offer 4 different courses!&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; text-align: left;"><ul><li><a href="https://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">FREE Learning Specialist Secrets - 3-Part Video Series</a></li><li><a href="https://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">Create a Successful Learning Specialist Practice in 60 Days</a></li><li><a href="https://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">Spelling Instruction: Assessment and Remedial Approach</a></li><li><a href="https://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/courses/color-coded-writing-a-structured-and-multisensory-approach-to-teaching-writing-skills">Teaching Writing Skills</a></li></ul></div><h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Cheers, Erica</span></b></h2><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><div style="display: inline;">Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at <a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">Good Sensory Learning</a> and <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>. She is also the director of <a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a> and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/"> Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast: <a href="https://godyslexia.com/">https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />· Store: <a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/">http://www.Goodsensorylearning.com/</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">www.dyslexiamaterials.com</a><br />· Courses: <a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up: <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a><br /><br /></div><!--EndFragment--></div></div></section><section class="course-instructor" style="background: rgb(243, 243, 243); box-sizing: border-box; color: #5b5b5b; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-top: 48px; padding-bottom: 60px; padding-top: 60px;"><div class="column" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 55px; padding-right: 55px;"><div class="row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-left: -15px; margin-right: -15px;"><div class="col-md-10 col-md-offset-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; min-height: 1px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative;"></div></div></div></section></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/08/how-to-teach-writing-structured-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-31742691251134152242018-08-01T14:50:00.000-04:002018-08-01T14:50:25.116-04:006 Powerful Ways to Help Dyslexics Learn Foreign Languages<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Federal law requires schools, colleges, and universities to provide reasonable accommodations for students who have documented learning disabilities such as dyslexia (commonly called a Specific Learning Disability). Many of these students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities need a foreign language requirement to be modified. A common accommodation is a foreign language exemption, waiver or modification.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kt9HgQSPOYo/W1dAyVteAXI/AAAAAAAAG0o/j5jegJUuHzkNg7-DEdMANBpXu7w2JS1ogCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%25282%2529%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kt9HgQSPOYo/W1dAyVteAXI/AAAAAAAAG0o/j5jegJUuHzkNg7-DEdMANBpXu7w2JS1ogCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%25282%2529%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>What are Foreign Language Exemptions, Waivers and Modifications?</b></h3><div>Over the years I have heard a few terms that have been used to describe foreign language accommodations in education.&nbsp; Here is a quick review:</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>A foreign language exemption</b>: Some state laws provide mandates that a student with a disability that adversely affects the ability to learn a language may be exempted from these requirements.&nbsp;</li><li><b>A foreign language waiver</b>: Some schools choose to "waive" a foreign language requirement and allow a course substitution that is approved by their foreign language department.&nbsp;</li><li><b>A foreign language modification</b>: Other schools offer a modified curriculum, with a highly skilled instructor.&nbsp; Most students with learning disabilities can complete a semester or two of modified foreign language study.</li></ol><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>What are Some Other Foreign Language Options?</b></h3><div>If a foreign language is required, here are two other possibilities:</div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Take a sign language course</b>: Sign language is a highly tactile and visual language and many students with dyslexia find it to be a relatively easy course.</li><li><b>Ask about a foreign language substitution</b>: Instead of learning a language, some schools allow students to opt into learning about the culture of another country.</li></ol><h3 style="text-align: left;">So How Can You Teach Dyslexic Learners Another Language?</h3><div><br />Because there are numerous <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-different-types-of-dyslexia.html">types of dyslexia</a> and each student with dyslexia has their own unique profile, it is important to let the student decide whether they want to try to learn a foreign language.&nbsp; I've seen plenty of students with dyslexia master another language.&nbsp; I have also witnessed students who have extreme language-based disabilities that warrant a&nbsp;foreign language exemption or waiver.&nbsp; If a student with dyslexia chooses to pursue another language, here are some strategies that can help:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/r6FrM2B4ODtHguYC0h2eGlo4pI6eu7rYX1bLOYJMhrR00RytnNxMs5O0zHgsqqXeX41tJ6-GmEmCnQ2S7AQWQrYkfgACaDAjUimmom-sbazzeg05bB4uM3DwNCuw7tmiOJMNt-29" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/r6FrM2B4ODtHguYC0h2eGlo4pI6eu7rYX1bLOYJMhrR00RytnNxMs5O0zHgsqqXeX41tJ6-GmEmCnQ2S7AQWQrYkfgACaDAjUimmom-sbazzeg05bB4uM3DwNCuw7tmiOJMNt-29" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></a></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3NcagMII2po/W1j9fGlzS4I/AAAAAAAAG2k/zIniw8ykoIEOEiZxcLzXbZahYOQTC8CBQCLcBGAs/s1600/https_%25252F%25252Flearningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com%25252F.%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="356" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3NcagMII2po/W1j9fGlzS4I/AAAAAAAAG2k/zIniw8ykoIEOEiZxcLzXbZahYOQTC8CBQCLcBGAs/s1600/https_%25252F%25252Flearningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com%25252F.%2B%25284%2529.jpg" /></a><li><b>Offer reasonable accommodations: </b>For a full list and discussion on accommodating students with dyslexia in the classroom <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/07/important-dyslexia-accommodations-in.html">CLICK HERE</a>.</li><li><b>Don't take off points for spelling errors</b>: Because dyslexia impacts a students spelling, it is important not to degrade them for mistakes caused by their disability.</li><li><b>Provide a word bank for tests</b>: A word bank is a set of words made available to pupils to support them with their writing. It may contain words specific to the type of text they are writing, or words which they are learning to spell in their work.</li><li><b>Using tricks to master verbs and grammar</b>: I like to create tables with the parts of speech and grammar content students need to learn.&nbsp; One is filled out with the answers and others are empty.&nbsp; See the example to the right.&nbsp; Students can place the empty tables into a dry erase pocket and test themselves.&nbsp; They can also implement memory strategies to help them access the content during a test.</li><li><b>Use memory strategies to assist with learning vocabulary</b>:&nbsp;I often help my students with their foreign language courses by teaching them both auditory and visual memory strategies.&nbsp; The image to the right illustrates three examples.</li><li><b>Find strategies on Youtube</b>: YouTube is an amazing resource that offers a multitude of strategies from teachers and students singing melodies and acting goofy with academic content to comprehensive lessons that allow students to review the content at any time.</li><li><b><a href="https://www.duolingo.com/">Duolingo</a></b>: This is an online site that many students like to use to learn foreign languages.&nbsp; They purport that, "gamification is poured into every lesson."</li><li><b>Make games</b>:&nbsp; You can make your own games, find purchasable games on <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/">Teacher Pay Teachers</a>, or you can select from some online options presented below.</li></ol><h3>What are some other online sites for learning a foreign language?</h3>1. <a href="http://www.digitaldialects.com/French.htm">Digital Dialects</a><br />2. <a href="http://www.french-games.net/">French-games.net</a><br />3. <a href="http://www.hello-world.com/languages.php/?language=French&amp;translate=English">Hello World</a><br />4. <a href="https://pollylingu.al/fr/fr">Polly Lingual</a><br />5. <a href="https://www.quia.com/web">Quia</a><br /><div><div style="display: inline !important;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /><div style="display: inline !important;">I hope you found this helpful. Reach out any time!<br /><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: Lora, serif; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">Cheers, </span><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif;">Dr. Erica Warren, Learning Specialist &amp; Educational Therapist</span></span></h2></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-ef0aeafc-d390-d25c-133b-3aa1a460bb6c"><br /></span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ef0aeafc-d390-d25c-133b-3aa1a460bb6c"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-ef0aeafc-d390-d25c-133b-3aa1a460bb6c"> <div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/"> Good Sensory Learning</a>. She is also the director of <a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a> and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/"> Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />Blog:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a></div><div>Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://business.facebook.com/goodsensorylearning/?business_id=287937748231494">https://business.facebook.com/goodsensorylearning/?business_id=287937748231494</a>&nbsp;</div><div>Pinterest:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/drericawarren/">https://www.pinterest.com/drericawarren/</a><br />YouTube Channel:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up:&nbsp;<a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/08/6-powerful-ways-to-help-dyslexics-learn.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-790101164808903512018-07-25T15:37:00.000-04:002018-07-29T08:47:31.214-04:005 Free Ways to Improve Visual Processing for Weak Readers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="display: inline;">Visual processing is an important cognitive skill for students to master. It assists with the encoding of information into the brain, and it helps students make sense of the learning content. This skill often needs to be developed and exercised, and there are many engaging activities that can help.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5O7npfg7VBU/W1JHX0pK0QI/AAAAAAAAGzE/umEiqlNPd9US6tv2LKzwElTOwfR0hdjcwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/4.png" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: times, &quot;times new roman&quot;, serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5O7npfg7VBU/W1JHX0pK0QI/AAAAAAAAGzE/umEiqlNPd9US6tv2LKzwElTOwfR0hdjcwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/4.png" /></a></div><b>What is Visual Processing?</b><br />Visual processing is a cognitive skill that allows us to process, interpret and find meaning from visual images. In other words, it is how we make sense of what we see.</div><div><div style="display: inline;"><br /><b> Why is Visual Processing Important? </b><br />Visual processing is vital because it plays a key role in learning visual information from our environment. It is a fundamental skill for reading, math, and spelling.</div></div><div><div style="display: inline;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="display: inline;"><b>What Are the Different Types of Visual Processing?</b></div></div><div>Visual processing involves a number of cognitive processing skills:<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Visual Construction Skills: organizing and manually manipulating spatial information to make a design.&nbsp;</li><li>Visual Processing Speed: processing visual information at a certain pace or speed.&nbsp;</li><li>Visual Scanning: looking at and absorbing all parts of a visual field or text document.&nbsp;</li><li>Visual-Spatial Skills: manipulating 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional figures in one's mind.&nbsp;</li><li>Visual-Spatial Reasoning: perceiving the spatial relationships between objects.&nbsp;</li><li>Visual Memory: remembering what is seen.&nbsp;</li><li>Visual Motor Integration: translating visual perception into a motor response.&nbsp;</li><li>Visual Synthesis: uniting visual information into a coherent whole.&nbsp;</li><li>Visual Sequencing: determining or remembering the order of symbols, words, or objects.&nbsp;</li><li>Visual Closure: making sense of visual information when some of the images are missing.&nbsp;</li><li>Visual Reasoning: finding meaning and making sense out of visual information.</li></ol><div style="display: inline;"><b>5 Free Ways to Improve Visual Processing for Weak Readers:</b><br /><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Help students improve and strengthen their visual tracking skills so they can read in a fast and fluid manner. <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2014/11/10-free-ways-to-improving-visual.html">Click here</a> to learn some free strategies.&nbsp;</li><li>Exercise and improve visual processing skills by playing key games. <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2014/08/ten-fun-games-that-strengthen-visual.html">Click here</a> to get a comprehensive list of games.&nbsp;</li><li>Go to <a href="http://www.eyecanlearn.com/teaming/">Eye Can Learn</a> and do eye exercises to strengthen tracking, visual discrimination visual memory, visual sequencing, visual-spatial skills, visual closure, and more...&nbsp;</li><li>Use text to voice Apps like <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2016/06/dyslexia-and-voice-dream-reader.html">Voice Dream Reader</a> that highlight the words while it reads the text aloud. This helps with both visual and auditory processing as well as sound/symbol association. You can also use their "Pac Man mode" that erases the words as they are read aloud. This helps the brain to process without getting visually overloaded.&nbsp;</li><li>Read out loud to yourself or someone else. This helps the eyes and brain to work in sync.</li></ol>What are Some Ready Made Materials that Strengthen Visual Processing?<br /><br /><b>Following Directions Primary:</b></div>Following Directions Primary offers fun activities that develop visual processing, listening skills, linguistic abilities and the core cognitive skills needed for reading. The 49-page download offers coloring and process of elimination activities. Cute animals and aliens as well as numbers, letters, shapes, and arrows are used in these enjoyable brain breaks. If you are interested in learning more about this publication and would like to download <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/111541?v=6">FREE ACTIVITIES CLICK HERE</a>.<br /><br /><b>Reversing Reversals Primary:</b><br />Reversing Reversals Primary strengthens the foundational cognitive skills needed for reading and math. It also develops visual processing and perception such as reversals that impacts students with dyslexia. This publication is available as a download, and it offers 72 pages of activities as well as a game. If you would like to learn more about this publication and also get <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/111557?v=6">FREE ACTIVITIES CLICK HERE</a>. <br /><br />I hope you found this helpful. If you know of other sites, materials or games that you find benefit visual processing, please share them below.<br /><div><span style="font-family: &quot;times&quot; , &quot;times new roman&quot; , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Cheers,&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif; font-size: large;">Dr. Erica Warren, Learning Specialist &amp; Educational Therapist</span></div>Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">&nbsp;Good Sensory Learning</a>. She is also the director of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a>&nbsp;and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">&nbsp;Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">&nbsp;www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">&nbsp;https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast:<a href="https://godyslexia.com/">&nbsp;https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up:&nbsp;<a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/07/5-free-ways-to-improve-visual.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-6519582370565008592018-07-18T16:48:00.003-04:002018-08-06T15:45:33.663-04:00Important Dyslexia Accommodations in the Classroom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Getting a school to recognize, test, and then accommodate your child with dyslexia can be an arduous and frustrating task.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6h_hV2bJBIo/W09oM1Hn7VI/AAAAAAAAGyM/PQpmTXe0KX4s-5d3s6F8BSuuKtDo3_TzACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%25281%2529.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6h_hV2bJBIo/W09oM1Hn7VI/AAAAAAAAGyM/PQpmTXe0KX4s-5d3s6F8BSuuKtDo3_TzACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a><br />Although public school systems can accommodate the individual needs of our struggling students, many administrators don’t like to tap into the general education coffers for a single student. As a result, parents often have to rally and wrestle to obtain reasonable accommodations for their children with dyslexia and other disabilities that impact learning. The key to navigating this slippery slope is to understand the laws, the lingo as well as the menus of mandated accommodations and modifications.<br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>What are my Options?</b></h3>There are two options for acquiring accommodations:<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>504: A 504 is a formal plan that protects the rights of students with disabilities in school. Covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, this civil rights law gives students with disabilities access to services and supports in the general education classroom. There are no mandated rules on the format or contents of a 504 plan. The only thing a school has to document in writing are their policies on 504 plans. If a student needs specialized instruction, it may be time to arrange a meeting with your school to discuss implementing an IEP instead of a 504 plan.</li><li>IEP: Under IDEA, any student with a disability that requires classroom accommodations must have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Prepared by a team of school officials, teachers and parents, the IEP should include:</li></ol><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>Current academic achievement</li><li>Measurable goals</li><li>Progress reports</li><li>Reasonable accommodations&nbsp;</li></ul></ul>For more information and exact wording, see the <a href="http://www2.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/iepguide/index.html">U.S. Department of Education website</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ogGCbgfay8/W1YzzSvJPYI/AAAAAAAAG0Q/DY-aTJtFbH02JszmgC3e43aZCP4mM2J8gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-07-18%2Bat%2B12.02.47%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="609" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ogGCbgfay8/W1YzzSvJPYI/AAAAAAAAG0Q/DY-aTJtFbH02JszmgC3e43aZCP4mM2J8gCK4BGAYYCw/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-07-18%2Bat%2B12.02.47%2BPM.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>What is a Reasonable Accommodation?</b></h3>A reasonable accommodation describes an alteration of the learning environment, curriculum format, or equipment that allows an individual with dyslexia to gain access to content and/or complete assigned tasks. To learn more about the distinction between accommodations and modification <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2016/06/list-of-reasonable-accommodations-and.html">CLICK HERE</a>.</div><div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">What are Some Possible Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Dyslexia?</h3><b>Overall Teaching Accommodations:</b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Provide a consistent daily routine.</li><li>Make sure documents are well organized and are not too visually dense.</li><li>Preview new topics and review the vocabulary.</li><li>Review old topics to assure the retention of knowledge.</li><li>Use small group or one-to-one instruction.</li><li>Break projects into organized activities with clear expectations and deadlines.</li><li>Offer reminders to write down and turn in assignments.</li><li>Offer modified/reduced in-class and homework assignments.</li><li>Provide extended time for homework assignments.</li><li>Check for student understanding prior to assigning homework.</li><li>Offer a list of homework assignments that are accessible to the student as well as the parents.</li><li>Provide a foreign language substitution, waiver, or exemption.</li><li>Offer an additional set of textbooks for use at home.</li><li>Allow the use of a tablet or computer to take notes or complete assignments.</li></ul><b>Listening/Reading</b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Provide audiobooks through organizations such as<a href="https://www.raz-kids.com/"> RaziKids</a>,<a href="https://www.learningally.org/"> Learning Alley</a> or<a href="https://www.bookshare.org/"> Bookshare</a>.</li><li>Provide a picture of directions and schedules.</li><li>Offer extra time when reading.</li><li>Shorten reading assignments.</li><li>Simplify directions and highlight keywords.</li><li>Provide oral directions, check for understanding, and repeat directions - if needed.</li><li>Offer a larger font with less content on each page.</li><li>Provide text to speech and technology.</li><li>Offer Orton-Gillingham based reading instruction.</li><li>Provide pre-exposures or advanced notice of reading assignments.&nbsp;</li><li>Offer colored overlays</li><li>Provide highlighters to color code assignments and assessments&nbsp;</li></ul></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Spelling</b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Supply the use of a computer with a spell check or a hand-held spell check.</li><li>Do not penalize for incorrect spelling on classroom writing and tests.</li><li>Offer a spelling bank</li><li>Offer a reduced weekly spelling list</li></ul></div><div><b>Writing</b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Supply a copy of the teacher’s or another student’s notes. You can also provide notes with a few blanks for students to fill in.</li><li>Shorten writing assignments.</li><li>Offer a scribe for classroom writing assignments.</li><li>Allow the use of a tape recorder or a Smart Pen.</li><li>Provide a computer for written assignments and tests.</li><li>Provide assistive technology such as speech to text, word prediction, spell checkers and grammar checkers.</li><li>Do not deduct points due to sloppy writing.</li><li>Do not require the student to copy information.</li></ul><b>Mathematics</b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Allow the use of graph paper for lining up math problems.</li><li>Read word problems aloud and assist with tricky wording.</li><li>Allow the use of math manipulatives and colored markers.</li><li>Provide the use of a calculator or a multiplication chart.</li></ul><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"></ul><b>Test Taking</b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Grant time and a half or double testing time.</li><li>Offer to test in a distraction-free location.</li><li>Avoid scantrons and allow the student to write directly on the test.</li><li>Simplify and reword questions on language loaded tests.</li><li>Provide short breaks when needed.</li><li>Permit the use of a calculator during testing.</li><li>Provide a word bank.</li><li>Provide a scribe during tests.</li><li>Allow the student to demonstrate mastery of content by answering oral questions.</li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Free Good Sensory Learning Dyslexia Screener</h3>The free <i>Good Sensory Learning Dyslexia Screener</i>&nbsp;is based on my comprehensive, doctoral training, an extensive literature review, and over 25 years working with dyslexic learners. This 20-question screener presents a simple, Likert scale that addresses the common symptoms. It is an informal evaluation that is best used to indicate whether formal testing should be pursued. <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2016/06/list-of-reasonable-accommodations-and.html">CLICK HERE</a> to download your free copy today.</div><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #292929; display: inline; font-family: lora, serif; text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: lora, serif; text-align: left;"><h3 style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Cheers, Erica</h3><h3 style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Dr. Erica Warren, Learning Specialist &amp; Eductional Therapist&nbsp;</h3></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 20px;"><br style="font-family: lora, serif;" /></div>Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/"> Good Sensory Learning</a>. She is also the director of <a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a> and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/"> Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/"> www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1"> https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast:<a href="https://godyslexia.com/"> https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up: <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/07/important-dyslexia-accommodations-in.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-18455609317572813152018-07-11T15:38:00.000-04:002018-07-11T15:38:13.464-04:00Best Free Dyslexia Test, Help and Treatment Options<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Finding the best dyslexia test, dyslexia help,&nbsp;and dyslexia treatment can be challenging to&nbsp;locate and finance. I, too, had problems uncovering dyslexia resources when I first opened my practice 20 years ago.&nbsp; So, over ten years ago, to help parents, teachers, and therapists&nbsp;with this process, I created my site,&nbsp;<a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a>.</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgLPNU8ASSk/W0N1ULQnIYI/AAAAAAAAGxk/xVt9BmdIUzYuZIwm9sqaPoP1Vdx7BrhWQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgLPNU8ASSk/W0N1ULQnIYI/AAAAAAAAGxk/xVt9BmdIUzYuZIwm9sqaPoP1Vdx7BrhWQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/The%2BNew%2BLook%2Bof.jpg" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This summer, I committed to redoing and upgrading the content, and the new site is up and running.&nbsp; At <a href="http://www.dyslexiamaterials.com/">Dyslexia Materials</a> you can now find all of the following <span style="color: red;">FREE</span> content:<br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/pages/free-dyslexia-screener">a dyslexia test or screener</a></li><li><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/pages/advice">advice</a></li><li><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/pages/homework-help">homework help</a></span></li><li><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/pages/schools-for-dyslexia">schools for dyslexia</a></span></li><li><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/pages/colleges-for-dyslexia">colleges for dyslexia</a></span></li><li><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/pages/organizationsservingdyslexia">organizations serving dyslexia</a></span></li><li><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/pages/free-dyslexia-manuals"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">dyslexia manuals</span></a></li><li><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/pages/videos-about-dyslexia">v<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box;">ideos about dyslexia</span></a></li></ul>I also offer an ever-growing selection of fun, multisensory teaching,&nbsp;and remedial products for students with dyslexia under the following categories:<br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/collections/assessments">Assessments</a></li><li><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/collections/cognitive-remedial">Cognitive Remedial</a></li><li><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/collections/frontpage">Executive Functioning and Memory</a></li><li><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/collections/language-arts">Language Arts</a></li><li><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/collections/reading">Reading</a></li><li><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/collections/math">Math</a></li><li><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/collections/writing">Writing</a></li><li><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/collections/bundles">Discounted Bundles&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://dyslexiamaterials.com/pages/online-remedial-games">Other Programs that I Love</a></li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I look forward to hearing your&nbsp;thoughts about the site, and I'm open to adding additional content upon request. You can reach out directly to ask for blog posts, products, or advice.&nbsp; You can email me at <a href="mailto:erica@goodsensorylearning.com">erica@goodsensorylearning.com</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Cheers, Erica</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Dr. Erica Warren, Learning Specialist &amp; Educational Therapist</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 20px;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">&nbsp;Good Sensory Learning</a>. She is also the director of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a>&nbsp;and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">&nbsp;Learning Specialist Courses</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">· Blog<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">&nbsp;www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">· YouTube Channel:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">&nbsp;https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">· Podcast:<a href="https://godyslexia.com/">&nbsp;https://godyslexia.com/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Newsletter Sign-up:&nbsp;<a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/07/best-free-dyslexia-test-help-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-31169285492651598042018-07-02T14:28:00.003-04:002018-07-02T14:33:19.366-04:00How Multisensory Teaching Works: Inspire Superior, Excited Students<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dEXe_Uu_Sv4/WxlRUztsgDI/AAAAAAAAGtE/CQRNMyBlJJYZ3OE-_xON0rDpnARB7bnhQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/How%2BMultisensory%2BTeaching%2BWorks%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dEXe_Uu_Sv4/WxlRUztsgDI/AAAAAAAAGtE/CQRNMyBlJJYZ3OE-_xON0rDpnARB7bnhQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/How%2BMultisensory%2BTeaching%2BWorks%2B.jpg" /></a></div>When experiences tap into all our senses as well as a variety of ways that we can process and organize information, not only does it grab our attention, but it becomes extremely memorable. The term multisensory teaching has been around for some time, but the concept has matured and grown over time.<br /><br /><b>What does multisensory mean?</b><br /><div>The term multisensory means that one is using more than one sense to&nbsp;perceive the world around them.&nbsp; When applied to learning, this means that learners use more than one sense such as sight, hearing, and touch to learn academic content.<br /><div><br /></div><div><b>What is a multisensory approach to learning</b><b>?</b><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iCF-Ha8OICI/VXcOYEfrM1I/AAAAAAAAENQ/Y1LwVcZpZq0/s1600/Multisensory%2BTeaching.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iCF-Ha8OICI/VXcOYEfrM1I/AAAAAAAAENQ/Y1LwVcZpZq0/s1600/Multisensory%2BTeaching.jpeg" /></a>A multisensory approach to learning,&nbsp; multisensory teaching, or multisensory instruction, is a way of teaching that engages students by implementing lessons that activate more than one sense at a time.&nbsp; This has been a successful method used in popular <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2016/05/finding-best-reading-program-for.html">Orton Gillingham reading programs</a> for many years as well as many popular math&nbsp;methods&nbsp;such as <a href="https://www.touchmath.com/">Touch Math</a>.<br /><br /><b>Can we teach beyond the senses for an even better learning experience?</b><br /><div>Yes we can!&nbsp; Sensory ways of teaching engage greater numbers of students when compared to traditional teaching method, but in my practice and&nbsp;<a class="" href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/Home.html">materals</a>,&nbsp;I like to take it to new heights by integrating kinesthetics or movement, verbalizations, organizational approaches as well as other ways to process as outlined with the<a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2016/01/exposing-teachers-to-12-ways-of-learning.html">&nbsp;Eclectic Teaching Approach</a>. What's more, I find that implementing <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/05/50-awesome-remedial-games-for.html">reading games</a>, <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/math-3">math games</a>, and <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/powerpoint-lessons">playful instruction</a>&nbsp;motivates and excites my students.<br /><br />Here are direct links to more resources on multisensory teaching:<br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://prezi.com/flzebtpl3lpj/the-12-ways-of-learning/">A free Prezi on multisensory teaching</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TXuWzcwioU">A free video on the 12 Ways of Learning</a></li><li><a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/eclectic-learning-profile.html">The Eclectic Teaching Approach</a></li></ul><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Cheers, Erica</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Dr. Erica Warren, Learning Specialist &amp; Educational Therapist</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 20px;" />Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">&nbsp;Good Sensory Learning</a>. She is also the director of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a>&nbsp;and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">&nbsp;Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">&nbsp;www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">&nbsp;https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast:<a href="https://godyslexia.com/">&nbsp;https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up:&nbsp;<a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div></div></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/07/how-multisensory-teaching-works-inspire.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-72293370263465202782018-06-27T13:47:00.000-04:002018-06-27T13:47:56.194-04:00Stop Copying! How to do Workbook Activities on an Ipad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Have you ever wondered if you could save paper and time by doing workbook activities on an iPad or computer? The answer is yes! What's more, if the original copy is in color, you can maintain the color activities for no added cost! So stop copying and let me show you how to make a printed document or digital image/activity even more enticing and interactive on a computer or iPad.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqQCG5HcrYg/Wy7jky-u89I/AAAAAAAAGus/gH5ssxVQk_wEUvmYzbxDmsgG3Tyo256JQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/10%2BWays%2BStudents%2BCan%2BUse%2BTheir%2BInner%2BVoice%2Bto%2BBoost%2BGrades%2B%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqQCG5HcrYg/Wy7jky-u89I/AAAAAAAAGus/gH5ssxVQk_wEUvmYzbxDmsgG3Tyo256JQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/10%2BWays%2BStudents%2BCan%2BUse%2BTheir%2BInner%2BVoice%2Bto%2BBoost%2BGrades%2B%252814%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>Here is a flowchart that shows the steps.</b><br /><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica&quot;; font-size: 18px;"></span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OVWdCmxUjVA/WzKkl_42cjI/AAAAAAAAGvE/fYncJjWuFwMe46Nku7_t3x05_wZbRVYgQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Hard%2Bgood%2BorPrinted%2BDocument%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OVWdCmxUjVA/WzKkl_42cjI/AAAAAAAAGvE/fYncJjWuFwMe46Nku7_t3x05_wZbRVYgQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Hard%2Bgood%2BorPrinted%2BDocument%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></a><br /><b>Written Steps:</b><br /><br />1) Printed documents should be scanned or photographed to your computer or tablet. You can also send images or documents to your email and access them from there.<br /><br />2) Save your image, Doc, or PDF to Google Drive, Dropbox, One Drive, PowerPoint, or Microsoft Word.<br /><br />3) Select an app. I like to use either <a href="https://zoom.us/zoomrooms/software">Zoom</a> or <a href="https://procreate.art/ipad">Procreate</a>.<br /><br /><b>Directions for Zoom:</b><br /><br />1) Find the document, pdf or image you want to use on your computer, and leave the window open so you can access it later while using Zoom. Please note that you can also access documents and images from Photos, iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or a Website URL.<br /><br />2) Create a video meeting with yourself if you are working with a student in person. When working with a student online, create a video meeting and invite them to join you with an email invitation.<br /><br />3) Select the green button on the bottom of the Zoom window that says "Share Screen."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tqYQCjeRk6Q/WzLGzI1LOAI/AAAAAAAAGvw/lcTL5gJIzscK_mEWtGUXg5bbs6SsovsFgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-06-26%2Bat%2B7.05.03%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="46" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tqYQCjeRk6Q/WzLGzI1LOAI/AAAAAAAAGvw/lcTL5gJIzscK_mEWtGUXg5bbs6SsovsFgCK4BGAYYCw/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-06-26%2Bat%2B7.05.03%2BPM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />4) Select the document, image, or page that you would like to share.<br /><br />Look for the black bar along the top of the screen and select annotate<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-znA-dOwz2xU/WzKncA1-NDI/AAAAAAAAGvQ/elzmB-F7P20Q4Dkh16cHosbecakpGc3oQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-06-26%2Bat%2B4.50.50%2BPM.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-znA-dOwz2xU/WzKncA1-NDI/AAAAAAAAGvQ/elzmB-F7P20Q4Dkh16cHosbecakpGc3oQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-06-26%2Bat%2B4.50.50%2BPM.jpg" /></a><br /><br />5) Draw or write on the document by using the tools below.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmJxvWMcRo8/WzKndaqs3JI/AAAAAAAAGvY/KPAQs8e2ZrcWld1aQk1bysJ0wXVT2WMSgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-06-26%2Bat%2B4.51.20%2BPM.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmJxvWMcRo8/WzKndaqs3JI/AAAAAAAAGvY/KPAQs8e2ZrcWld1aQk1bysJ0wXVT2WMSgCK4BGAYYCw/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-06-26%2Bat%2B4.51.20%2BPM.jpg" /></a><br />6) Here is a video I created that demonstrates this strategy. <a href="https://youtu.be/yRvozyE-BpU">https://youtu.be/yRvozyE-BpU</a><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yRvozyE-BpU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yRvozyE-BpU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><div><br /><b>Directions for Procreate:</b><br /><div><b><br /></b>1) Send a file or image to Procreate from your email by selecting it and then selecting the box with an up arrow. Swipe until you find Procreate and select it. You can also import files directly from Procreate in the top left-hand corner - after you open a drawing. With Procreate you can import files from your photos, iCloud Drive, PowerPoint, Word documents or other similar apps on your iPad.<br /><br />2) Draw over images or docs with all the many features in Procreate.<br /><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Please note that Procreate does one image at a time, while Zoom can access a whole document.</b></li><li><b>Procreate and Zoom are both accessible on an iPad, but Zoom is also accessible on all types of computers.</b></li></ul></div><div>I hope you found this helpful!!&nbsp; Please share your thoughts, ideas,&nbsp;and questions.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Cheers, Dr. Erica Warren</span></b></div><div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">&nbsp;Good Sensory Learning</a>. She is also the director of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a>&nbsp;and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">&nbsp;Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">&nbsp;www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">&nbsp;https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast:<a href="https://godyslexia.com/">&nbsp;https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up:&nbsp;<a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/06/stop-copying-how-to-do-workbook.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-51368114292501492602018-06-13T16:30:00.000-04:002018-06-15T09:51:58.640-04:0026 Awesome and Fun Math Ideas for Struggling Students<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Xi2BkzN2R8/Wx3V7Q4CasI/AAAAAAAAGt4/aDCqnYqAQLwTozKYgGZ8EtLM1B2tj2pKQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/10%2BWays%2BStudents%2BCan%2BUse%2BTheir%2BInner%2BVoice%2Bto%2BBoost%2BGrades%2B%252813%2529%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Xi2BkzN2R8/Wx3V7Q4CasI/AAAAAAAAGt4/aDCqnYqAQLwTozKYgGZ8EtLM1B2tj2pKQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/10%2BWays%2BStudents%2BCan%2BUse%2BTheir%2BInner%2BVoice%2Bto%2BBoost%2BGrades%2B%252813%2529%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>With the summer vacation just around the corner, it will be important to implement some mathematics over the break to avoid the "summer slide." The "summer slide" is a term used to describe the loss of academic skills and knowledge over the course of the summer holiday.&nbsp; In fact, young learners can lose from 2-6 months of instruction.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>How Do&nbsp;We Entice Young Math Learners to Keep Their Skills Sharp?</b></div><div>When I work with students over the summer months, the key to my success is to integrate fun activities and games into all of my lessons.&nbsp; I not only want to maintain each student's current knowledge, but the summertime is a wonderful opportunity to review concepts students that may have missed or preview topics to get them ahead.&nbsp; Here are a few simple options that can get you up and running:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Create a fun and creative <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2013/08/mathemagic-multisensory-and-mindful.html">math manual</a> that implements memory strategies.</li><li>Use online math tools,&nbsp;sites, and apps such as <a href="http://www.nessy.com/us/product/nessy-numbers/?ref=6">Nessy Numbers</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mathplayground.com/games.html">Math Playground</a>.</li><li>Use the free math site,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/">Khan Academy</a>,&nbsp;for outstanding lessons, activities and more.</li><li>Use coloring activities that integrate math concepts such as&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2M9fvDb">coloring shapes</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2Jrw7YT">basic addition and subtraction</a>.</li><li>Get&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2sWPTjZ">dot to dot activities</a>&nbsp;that help young students develop their sequential skills.</li><li>Develop math reasoning with&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2McfkXE">sudoku activities</a>.</li><li>Make the learning or review process fun by associating math activities with pleasantries such as favorite foods or a special math nook with comfortable pillows.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Use my multisensory&nbsp;math lessons, activities and games:&nbsp;</li><ol><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/products/fractions-are-fun-animated-pp-lesson-and-pdf-activities">Fractions are Fun Animated PP Lesson and PDF Activities download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/products/fraction-games-hockey-golf-bowling-shuffleboard-stair-toss">Fraction Games Hockey, Golf, Bowling, Shuffleboard &amp; Stair Toss Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/search?type=product&amp;q=Monster+multiplication">Monster Long Multiplication Multiplication Digital Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/products/multisensory-multiplication-and-division-to-melodies">Multisensory Multiplication and Division to Melodies Digital Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/products/kangaroo-hop-metric-conversion">Kangaroo Hop Metric Conversion Lesson and Games Digital Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/search?type=product&amp;q=panic">Place Value Game and Instruction: Place Value Panic Digital Down</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/math-3/products/place-value-golf-hockey-bowling-shuffleboard-and-stair-toss">Place Value Golf, Hockey, Bowling, Shuffleboard and Stair Toss Digital Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/products/rounding-rainbow">Rounding Rainbow Math Digital Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/math-3/products/quantitative-and-spatial-puzzles-beginners">Quantitative and Spatial Puzzles: Beginners Digital Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/math-3/products/the-number-ladder-turning-the-number-line-top-to-bottom">The Number Ladder: Turning the Number Line Top to Bottom Digital Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/math-3/products/angles-instruction-memory-strategies-and-activities-powerpoint">Angles Lesson, Memory Strategies, and Activities PowerPoint Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/math-3/products/following-directions-real-numbers-digital-download">Following Directions the Fun and Easy Way Real Numbers Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/math-3/products/measurement-memory-strategies-powerpoint-digital-download">Measurement Memory Strategies PowerPoint Digital Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/math-3/products/my-pet-pemdas-digital-download">My Pet PEMDAS Elementary Math Digital Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/math-3/products/integer-ladder-instruction-activities-and-games">Integer Ladder: Instruction, Activities and Games Digital Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/math-3/products/multiples-and-lcm-made-easy">Multiples and LCM Made Easy with Millipedes Digital Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/math-3/products/money-game-piggy-banking-digital-download">Money Game Piggy Banking Digital Download</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/math-3/products/mathemagic-mastering-factoring-and-multiples">Mathemagic: Mastering Factoring and Multiples</a></li><li><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/math-3/products/tap-math-games-and-more">Tap Math Games and More</a></li></ol></ol><div>I'm always happy to address any questions or help my audience find the needed materials.&nbsp; Reach out any time!&nbsp;&nbsp;</div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Cheers, Erica<br />Dr. Erica Warren, Learning Specialist &amp; Educational Therapist</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 20px;" />Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">&nbsp;Good Sensory Learning</a>. She is also the director of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a>&nbsp;and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">&nbsp;Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">&nbsp;www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">&nbsp;https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast:<a href="https://godyslexia.com/">&nbsp;https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up:&nbsp;<a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/06/10-awesome-and-fun-math-ideas-for.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-48410387798348392202018-06-06T12:15:00.000-04:002018-06-06T12:15:27.220-04:007 Ways Students Can Use Their Inner Voice to Boost Grades<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnjeVQrVfwY/WxMEwRRC1rI/AAAAAAAAGss/l5ejVTXqAtwS3quP8uGkC5Rg_ATL7OVygCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/7%2BWays%2BStudents%2BCan%2BUse%2BTheir%2BInner%2BVoice%2Bto%2BBoost%2BGrades%2B%25284%2529%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnjeVQrVfwY/WxMEwRRC1rI/AAAAAAAAGss/l5ejVTXqAtwS3quP8uGkC5Rg_ATL7OVygCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/7%2BWays%2BStudents%2BCan%2BUse%2BTheir%2BInner%2BVoice%2Bto%2BBoost%2BGrades%2B%25284%2529%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Did you know that students can improve their grades, simply by learning how to manage their inner voice? The inner voice is made up of thoughts or feelings expressed as internal utterances that warn, criticize, or advise you.&nbsp; Many people move mindlessly through their&nbsp;day with this inner chatter constantly guiding their mood, attention,&nbsp;and behavior, but we can learn to take control.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div></div><br /><b>How Can One's Inner Voice Help with Academics?</b><br />The inner voice is a powerful presence that can either take one’s attention away from the subject at hand or help one to mindfully maintain attention to an external task. In fact, the inner voice works hand in hand with one’s inner eye (visualization) to make up working memory; and <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00550/full">research now suggests</a> that working memory predicts success in reading as well as all other aspects of learning, regardless of intelligence.<br /><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-469f7beb-bdf8-305a-95ba-9163d5c24128"><br /><b>So How Can We Help Students to Manage their Inner Voice and Use it to Improve Academics?</b></span><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-469f7beb-bdf8-305a-95ba-9163d5c24128"><li><b>Educate your students</b>&nbsp;- Explain to your students how managing one’s inner voice can <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/05/3-reliable-ways-to-improve-attention.html">improve attention and working memory</a>. Introduce them to the idea of&nbsp;<a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2017/01/mindfulness-training-improves-working.html">mindfulness</a>.</li><li><b>Exhibit changing your own inner thoughts by thinking aloud</b>&nbsp;- Share your own negative thoughts and fears and show them how you can reword these negative words to more positive comments that can trigger motivation and resilience.</li><li><b>Tame the inner critic</b> - The critical inner voice that speaks to us, feeds self-limiting thoughts and attitudes can prevent us from achieving our goals. Students need to become aware of any negative inner messages and choose to recognize, understand the influence, respond back, and change their voice from critic to coach.</li><li><b>Choose to nurture an overall positive inner voice</b> - Instead of pointing out limitations, one can train their inner voice to support and foster academic and personal success.</li><li><b>Encourage students to keep a journal of free-flowing thoughts about their academic achievement</b> - When your students write about any negative thoughts or fears, encourage them to respond to these discouraging words with how they would like or choose to think. For example, if they write, “I think I’m going to fail my math test.” Have them respond to that thought or fear by writing, “I choose to ace my math test.” Then they can write about what they can do to try to make this happen.</li><li><b>Hold group discussions</b> - At least once a semester,&nbsp;ask your students to share any concerns or fears they harbor about your class. Help them to come up with solutions and encourage them to think positively about their abilities.</li><li><b>Teach your students to use their inner voice to improve learning</b> - Using one’s inner voice to internally rehearse information and make connections can improve the encoding of information. If they visualize the content at the same time, memory improves even more.</li></span></ol><span id="docs-internal-guid-469f7beb-bdf8-305a-95ba-9163d5c24128"> </span></div>If you would like to learn about ready-made materials that can nurture a positive inner voice, consider my <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/bundles/products/mindfulness-activity-cards-for-building-emotional-intelligence-and-working-memory-bundle">Mindfulness Activity Cards Bundle</a>. If you are also interested in training your students to optimize their academic potential through visualization activities, <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/bundles/products/teaching-visualization-bundle">CLICK HERE</a>.<br /><div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Cheers, Erica<br />Dr. Erica Warren, Learning Specialist &amp; Educational Therapist</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 20px;" />Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">&nbsp;Good Sensory Learning</a>. She is also the director of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a>&nbsp;and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">&nbsp;Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">&nbsp;www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">&nbsp;https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast:<a href="https://godyslexia.com/">&nbsp;https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up:&nbsp;<a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/06/7-ways-students-can-use-their-inner.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-75718791473153982942018-05-29T11:42:00.000-04:002018-05-29T11:42:23.550-04:003 Reliable Ways to Improve Attention and Working Memory<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h4 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; bottom: 7px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2c2d30; font-family: &quot;Proxima Nova Bold&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;"></h4><h4 style="bottom: 7px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdJPqp-5IZc/Wwg5YU-6RBI/AAAAAAAAGrs/SHVFn-AAuxozcP0ysR98ehMGspwE_XQVwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Copy%2Bof%2BWorking%2BMemory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; color: #2c2d30; font-family: &quot;proxima nova bold&quot;, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pdJPqp-5IZc/Wwg5YU-6RBI/AAAAAAAAGrs/SHVFn-AAuxozcP0ysR98ehMGspwE_XQVwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Copy%2Bof%2BWorking%2BMemory.jpg" /></a></h4>Did you know that working memory is often touted to be the best indicator of academic success? However, if a student is easily distracted, the academic content can be missed or it can fade before it even reaches this vital part of the learning process.<div><br /><b>Attention and Working Memory Go Hand in Hand: </b><br />Executive functioning, or what I like to call the Grand Central Station of the brain, houses both attention and working memory. In fact, attention and working memory operate in tandem, because attention is required to process and manipulate information in one's mental workspace or mind's eye. This includes both auditory information such as following oral directions as well as visual information such as making sense of a complex puzzle. Researchers at The University of North Carolina examined the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17614870">relation between working memory capacity and attention</a>. They found that students with higher working memory capacity maintain attention better than those with a lower working memory capacity.<b><br /></b><b>What are the Core Cognitive Skills that Makeup Working Memory and Aid with Attention?</b><br /><div><b><br /></b>At the heart of working memory lies one's mind's eye as well as one's inner voice.&nbsp; In fact, one can use both of these skills to mindfully maintain attention.<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Visualization</b>: Visualization is forming mental images or pictures.<span style="color: #545454; font-family: &quot;roboto&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span>If you would like to learn more about visualization as well as how to develop this skill, <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-key-to-improved-attention-and.html">CLICK HERE</a>.</li><li><b>Inner Voice</b>: The inner voice is an internal monologue or self-talk that takes place in one's head. To&nbsp;learn more about how to nurture a positive inner voice, <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2017/07/focusing-on-negative-how-schooling.html">CLICK HERE</a></li></ol><b>What are Three Reliable Ways to Improve Attention and Working Memory?</b></div><div><b><br /></b>In a nutshell, the best way to improve attention and working memory is to develop mindful, metacognitive skills. In other words, students need to become aware of their own cognition and take an active and present role in the learning process. One can nurture this by:<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tLpJl0IbfZHsMLxQ0cedRec1XZKMci6HaYiiQGInRXltTSyvs3kTgEcctH5XTxrltDsiEMs5e8VwRN43Bd4XFckPzcXi4G41nOBY7gh6M8ySm0dHs_aGuHFdtR7VEr3WJsoBSP-p" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tLpJl0IbfZHsMLxQ0cedRec1XZKMci6HaYiiQGInRXltTSyvs3kTgEcctH5XTxrltDsiEMs5e8VwRN43Bd4XFckPzcXi4G41nOBY7gh6M8ySm0dHs_aGuHFdtR7VEr3WJsoBSP-p" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="336" /></a><li>Exercising attention and working memory by&nbsp;</li><ol><li>providing highly structured&nbsp;and organized materials and tools&nbsp;such as&nbsp;<i><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/working-memory/products/planning-time-management-and-organization-for-success-download">Planning Time Management and Organization for Success</a>&nbsp;</i>and<br /><i><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/executive-functioning-7/products/the-ultimate-mindful-and-editable-planner-agenda">The Ultimate, Mindful and Editable Planner/Agenda</a></i></li><li>doing activities such as the <i><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/products/working-memory-bundle">Working Memory and Hemisphere Integration Bundle</a></i> and <i><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/bundles/products/following-directions-primary-beginners-intermediate-bundle">Following Directions Bundle</a>.</i></li><li>playing games that exercise both attention and working memory such as the <i><a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/bundles/products/executive-functioning-games-bundle">Executive Functioning&nbsp;Games Bundle</a>.</i></li></ol><li>Developing one's capacity to visualize.&nbsp; I offer both PowerPoints and fun activities that help to develop this skill.&nbsp; To learn more <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/search?type=product&amp;q=visualization">CLICK HERE</a>.&nbsp;<span id="docs-internal-guid-395c7eb0-985b-e33e-5109-8a3cff917324"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></li><li>Gaining control over one's inner voice.&nbsp; I offer a <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2017/01/mindfulness-training-improves-working.html">blog</a> that can tell you more about developing this skill as well as <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/working-memory/products/mindfulness-activity-cards-for-developing-working-memory">task cards</a>.</li></ol><div>Providing fun and engaging activities that require attention, mental manipulation, and following directions such as Red Light, Green Light, memory games and treasure hunts can help. However, ready-made activities that specifically exercise working memory and attention can save time and focus an intervention plan. Come get some <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/111559?v=6"><span style="color: red;">FREE SAMPLE ACTIVITIES</span></a>.&nbsp; Also, if you would like to learn about all my tools that develop working memory skills, <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/collections/working-memory">CLICK HERE</a>.</div><ol style="text-align: left;"></ol><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Cheers, Erica<br />Dr. Erica Warren, Learning Specialist &amp; Educational Therapist</span></div><br style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 20px;" />Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">&nbsp;Good Sensory Learning</a>. She is also the director of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a>&nbsp;and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">&nbsp;Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">&nbsp;www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">&nbsp;https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast:<a href="https://godyslexia.com/">&nbsp;https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up:&nbsp;<a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/05/3-reliable-ways-to-improve-attention.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-51326987879040883352018-05-24T10:38:00.000-04:002018-05-24T10:38:34.226-04:00Superior Sight Word Mastery: A Breakthrough, Proven Approach<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORwoMl4KQEo/WwMy3y1EEnI/AAAAAAAAGqk/ApsCyMNi_psSpQajP2gnDgEgMl2QMuUQwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Free%2BAdvice%2Bfor%2BMastering%2BVoice%2BTyping%2Bwith%2BGoogle%2Bdocs%2B2.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORwoMl4KQEo/WwMy3y1EEnI/AAAAAAAAGqk/ApsCyMNi_psSpQajP2gnDgEgMl2QMuUQwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Free%2BAdvice%2Bfor%2BMastering%2BVoice%2BTyping%2Bwith%2BGoogle%2Bdocs%2B2.png" /></a></div>For many struggling readers, sight words can seem like an impossible hurdle. Sight words are high-frequency words that are commonly seen when reading and used when writing.&nbsp; Students are encouraged to memorize these words by sight because most do not follow standard decoding rules and can not be "sounded out."<br /><div><br /></div><div><b>What if a Student Struggles with Visual Memory?</b></div><div>Over the years, I have tried a multitude of strategies to help my struggling students master sight words.&nbsp; Repetitive, multisensory lessons were a bore,&nbsp;games were a great improvement, but the best technique, to begin with, is creating a multisensory&nbsp;memory book.&nbsp; Instead of expecting students to use rote, visual memory, I like to teach my students <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2016/01/memory-strategy-hookings-fun-and.html">hooking strategies</a> and have them record their ideas with colorful markers in booklets or notebooks.&nbsp; It is a word diary of sorts that&nbsp;students can title with their own fun, creative&nbsp;name (e.g., magical memory strategies...).</div><div><br /></div><div>Each difficult sight word is placed on its own page, and students have fun coming up with memory strategies that help them remember the correct pronunciation and spelling. For example, if Peter has difficulty with the word “together,” he may discover that the word is made up of three simple words – to, get and her. As another example, if Sue struggles with the word “what,” she may notice "what" has the word "hat" in it. She could draw a hat on the word "what" in her notebook and then write down the question, “What hat?” A final example is, if Terry cannot remember the word “hear.”&nbsp; Perhaps she discovers that it has the word "ear" in it.&nbsp; She could draw an ear on the word and then write the phrase, "we hear with our ear."&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>How Can I Make Strategies Memorable?</b></div><div>Self-generated strategies are most memorable, so I try to encourage my students to come up with their own.&nbsp; However, in the beginning, students may need some assistance.&nbsp; I explain that the word might look like something, sound like something, or have other familiar words in it.&nbsp; Some students&nbsp;see an interesting pattern within the letters and other students like to say the words the way they are written (e.g., Wed-nes-day.).&nbsp; Still, others might like to create a little rhyme, ditty or rap.&nbsp; The trick is to have the strategy hidden inside the word.&nbsp; It can even tell a story.&nbsp; For example, many have a hard time with the word "friend."&nbsp; They just can't remember that it includes the letter "i."&nbsp; If this is the case, they might want to say,&nbsp;"<b>I</b>&nbsp;have a fr<b>iend</b> to the&nbsp;<b>end</b>."&nbsp; Finally, the letters may be used to create a drawing.&nbsp; For instance,&nbsp;take the word,&nbsp;"who."&nbsp; Frank may draw an owl out of the letters - because he knows that an owl makes the same sound as the word "who."</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>How Do I Get Started?</b></div><div>Make sure that you have all the needed materials:</div></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Notebooks or booklets.</li><li>Magic markers, colored pencils or crayons.</li><li>Great imagination and playful attitude.</li></ol><div>Remember, if you are excited about the lessons, your students will be too.&nbsp; Wrap this strategy in mystery, magic, and color and you will surely grab your students' attention and imaginations.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TK8w2Wd339M/WwM1iF-uJ4I/AAAAAAAAGq0/TgydppyHR9wdhMpfCWfzQrcVvtQAuPfXQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-05-21%2Bat%2B5.07.40%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TK8w2Wd339M/WwM1iF-uJ4I/AAAAAAAAGq0/TgydppyHR9wdhMpfCWfzQrcVvtQAuPfXQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-05-21%2Bat%2B5.07.40%2BPM.jpg" width="248" /></a><b>Sight Word Games and Other Primary Reading Games:</b></div></div>If you would like some fun and affordable games that can be used to practice new memory strategies and also master other early literacy skills, come check out <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/products/reading-games-primary">Reading Games Primary</a>. This publication offers 74 pages with 8 games that review syllables, beginning sounds, middle sounds, ending sounds, blends, and sight words. These games also strengthen core cognitive skills such as tracking, spatial skills, processing speed, verbal reasoning and more. All the games were student tested to make sure that they are all fabulously fun.&nbsp; You might be interested in all my reading games.&nbsp; If so, <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/products/reading-games-bundle">CLICK HERE</a>.<br /><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Cheers, Erica<br />Dr. Erica Warren, Learning Specialist &amp; Educational Therapist</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 20px;" />Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">&nbsp;Good Sensory Learning</a>. She is also the director of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a>&nbsp;and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">&nbsp;Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">&nbsp;www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">&nbsp;https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast:<a href="https://godyslexia.com/">&nbsp;https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up:&nbsp;<a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/05/superior-sight-word-mastery.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-48860863642477654282018-05-16T16:30:00.000-04:002018-05-16T18:16:24.211-04:0050 Awesome Remedial Games for Struggling Readers <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pU4nYT6GGY8/Wus1Qed_krI/AAAAAAAAGoU/x2WOXu9f3o8JNZ_atzSGKSbPaJOKPgquACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Free%2BAdvice%2Bfor%2BMastering%2BVoice%2BTyping%2Bwith%2BGoogle%2Bdocs%2B%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pU4nYT6GGY8/Wus1Qed_krI/AAAAAAAAGoU/x2WOXu9f3o8JNZ_atzSGKSbPaJOKPgquACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Free%2BAdvice%2Bfor%2BMastering%2BVoice%2BTyping%2Bwith%2BGoogle%2Bdocs%2B%25288%2529.jpg" /></a><br />When I first began my private practice about 20 years ago, my primary focus was remedial reading with Orton Gillingham (OG) methods. With my doctoral training in hand, I continually reviewed reading programs, read books, and went through a number of OG training&nbsp;courses.&nbsp; Although the suggested materials were purported to be "multisensory," I still found the process, for the most part, dull and boring. In addition, I often had to bribe my students with candy and stickers to read long lists of words and complete tedious&nbsp;drills.&nbsp; What could I do to make the process fun, exciting, memorable and even more multisensory?<br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Creating Games with Phonics and Orton Gillingham Content</b></div><div>I soon began to create card games out of sight word lists as well as board games for the 6 syllable types.&nbsp; My students loved the games, and their motivation and memory improved dramatically.&nbsp; &nbsp;I continued to create more games for words beginnings, word ending, rhyming words, syllabication, spelling, and more.&nbsp; My students&nbsp;were a constant sounding board, and I tweaked&nbsp;them until the kids were begging to play.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><b>I Had So Much Success I Decided to Share My Materials with the Public</b></div><div>Creating the games was a blast.&nbsp; I was able to tap into my BA in fine arts and create colorful and engaging materials.&nbsp; I always used my students as eager advisors, and it wasn't long until I had about 50 reading games.&nbsp; I have been selling them now for about 10 years and I always get glowing feedback.&nbsp; Here are a few reviews:</div><div><ul><li>"I always love to use games to reinforce the learning for my students. Thank you for helping to make my lessons fun."</li><li>"Thank you so much for sharing this with the world! I will use these to supplement my Wilson reading."</li><li>"To have all of the resources made for you is heaven!"</li><li>"Absolutely Love! I am starting Wilson this year and was afraid I would get bored and it would be too dry! This will definitely keep my kids engaged!"</li><li>"Thank you so much for this! I am trained in the Orton-Gillingham methods. I work as a resource teacher for our district as well as a tutor at our Children's Dyslexia Center. As a graduate student for Reading Specialist, I am always looking for great resources for my own teaching as well as to share with my classroom teachers. This is definitely a great addition to my collection! Thanks!!"</li><li>"I struggled to find materials to use with a new student who has dyslexia. These were great! Thank you so much!" :)</li><li>"This is absolutely worth the cost. These games are really engaging, the skills are well-targeted and give lots of practice, and my squirrelly students can learn and move at the same time."</li></ul><div><b>How Can You Learn More About My Reading Games?</b></div>I have created more than 50 different games for all levels of reading remediation. To learn more about all of these games <a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/reading-games.html">CLICK HERE</a>. If you would like to try a free sample game <a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/111551?v=6">CLICK HERE</a>.&nbsp;<br /><br />I also create games for writing, math, executive functioning, working memory and more.&nbsp; If you would like to learn about all my games, <a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/search?type=product&amp;q=Games">CLICK HERE</a>.<br /><div><br /></div>Cheers, Erica</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Dr. Erica Warren, Learning Specialist &amp; Educational Therapist</span></div><br style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 20px;" />Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">&nbsp;Good Sensory Learning</a>. She is also the director of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a>&nbsp;and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">&nbsp;Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">&nbsp;www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">&nbsp;https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast:<a href="https://godyslexia.com/">&nbsp;https://godyslexia.com/</a><br />Newsletter Sign-up:&nbsp;<a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/05/50-awesome-remedial-games-for.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356093753792732491.post-2634707782756833802018-05-09T12:48:00.000-04:002018-05-09T12:48:17.176-04:0010 Easy Metacognitive and Mindful Strategies for Student Success <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dwh1cIvUtws/WuyNb7MWLcI/AAAAAAAAGpQ/6GaToLQx4Dwhl9H3y0OP8MZOnqlukOOBQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Free%2BAdvice%2Bfor%2BMastering%2BVoice%2BTyping%2Bwith%2BGoogle%2Bdocs%2B%252818%2529-2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dwh1cIvUtws/WuyNb7MWLcI/AAAAAAAAGpQ/6GaToLQx4Dwhl9H3y0OP8MZOnqlukOOBQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Free%2BAdvice%2Bfor%2BMastering%2BVoice%2BTyping%2Bwith%2BGoogle%2Bdocs%2B%252818%2529-2.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Multitasking&nbsp;seems to be a habitual challenge that many students face.&nbsp; For instance, juggling modern-day technology while completing homework is a common&nbsp;undertaking. &nbsp;As a result, many young learners fall prey to constant interruptions from social media, online video chatting, texting, television and more. Although there are some benefits to being able to shift from task to task, the learning process, as well as the time it takes to complete assignments,&nbsp;is often hindered when attention is continually interrupted.&nbsp; In fact, research suggests that the best way to optimize learning potential is to give one's full attention to a task, and for many young learners this means that they need to develop a metacognitive or mindful approach to learning.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Completing Schoolwork with Greater Efficiency?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: &quot;times&quot;; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One key to helping students maximize their learning potential is to teach them about metacognition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">Metacognition is the ability to self-regulate one's own thinking, and it is often described as "thinking about thinking.” One engages higher order reasoning and one's inner voice to actively control the thought processes and maintain engagement in learning.&nbsp; Planning a learning approach, creating a daily homework schedule, e</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">valuating one's progress, and&nbsp;</span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">self-monitoring comprehension are&nbsp;all examples of metacognitive skills. &nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white;">&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">How Can Students Learn Metacognitive Approaches?<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">Here are a number of strategies that can help learners to develop a metacognitive and mindful approach to learning.</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">Share your own thoughts aloud, so that learners can hear how you think about your own thinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">Encourage learners to maintain focus on one task from beginning to end.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">Urge learners to remove all distractions when completing schoolwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">Help learners to become aware of their own thought processes through <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2017/08/7-mindful-methods-boost-sensory.html">mindfulness</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">Instruct learners on how to plan and manage their time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Provide <a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/planning---organizing.html">handouts and materials </a>that help them to think through the process.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">Help learners create an afternoon routine where they schedule downtime and homework time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">Urge learners to plan and write down their approach, create deadlines, and declare intentions to a parent, teacher or peer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">Provide assignments that challenge learners to create a study approach and have them share their ideas with their classmates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">Encourage learners to talk about or write about their approach to your class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>What is working?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>What is not working?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: &quot;times&quot;; text-indent: -0.25in;">10. Allow learners to evaluate your class assignments and approach and make any recommendations that would help them improve their performance in your course.</span><br /><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">11. Help learners to be aware and take charge of their own <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2017/07/focusing-on-negative-how-schooling.html">inner voice</a>.</span></span><br /><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">12. Encourage&nbsp;learners to <a href="https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-key-to-improved-attention-and.html">visualize</a>&nbsp;academic content.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;"><b>Ready Made Materials for Developing Metacognition and Mindfulness</b></span><br /><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;">If you would like ready-made checklists, assessments, and handouts, that can help your students develop metacognitive skills, check out the many resources available in my publication,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.goodsensorylearning.com/planning---organizing.html">Planning, Time Management and Organization for Success: Quick and Easy Approaches to Mastering Executive Functioning Skills for Students.</a>&nbsp; I also offer a number of products that develop mindfulness and metacognition.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://goodsensorylearning.com/search?type=product&amp;q=mindfulness">CLICK</a>&nbsp;here to see all of these products.</span><br /><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: &quot;lora&quot; , serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700;">Cheers, Erica<br />Dr. Erica Warren, Learning Specialist &amp; Educational Therapist</span><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #292929; font-family: lora, serif; font-size: 20px;" />Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator, and publisher of multisensory educational materials at<a href="http://goodsensorylearning.com/">&nbsp;Good Sensory Learning</a>. She is also the director of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.learningtolearn.biz/">Learning to Learn</a>&nbsp;and<a href="http://www.learningspecialistcourses.com/">&nbsp;Learning Specialist Courses</a>.<br /><br />· Blog<a href="http://www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/">&nbsp;www.learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com</a><br />· YouTube Channel:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1">&nbsp;https://www.youtube.com/user/warrenerica1</a><br />· Podcast:<a href="https://godyslexia.com/">&nbsp;https://godyslexia.com/</a><br /><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: &quot;times&quot;;"></span><br />Newsletter Sign-up:&nbsp;<a href="https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400">https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/69400</a></div></div>Erica Warrenhttps://plus.google.com/103841914274660869538noreply@blogger.com0https://learningspecialistmaterials.blogspot.com/2018/05/10-easy-metacognitive-and-mindful.html